Shane Chowen, NUS Vice-President (Further Education), said:
“We’ve won some major concessions from the Government and it is clear that tireless work of NUS, Save EMA and MPs of all parties have stopped some of the worst excesses of this policy. However, this new package is still a shadow of its predecessor and it is not even clear if this last minute addition is new money or has been raided from careers guidance budgets.
“Almost £400m is still being cut from support to young people and EMA, which has been proven to work by ever measure available, is still being scrapped. Those who will receive automatic payments represent a tiny percentage of those eligible for EMA.
“The majority of this reduced support fund will be available only on a discretionary basis, which means hundreds of thousands of young people will be applying to sixth forms and colleges not knowing what support they will receive.
"The cost of transport was raised a significant concern by members on all sides of the house and the Secretary of State has failed to address this. At a time when youth unemployment is so high those looking towards further education will be worried that they will be unable to make up the shortfall in funds through part-time work.”