Students are meeting MPs in their hundreds, debating and challenging them on the EMA proposals. The main debate and vote on the reforms will take place in the House of Commons from around 4pm today.
The EMA is a lifeline for students on lower incomes, with 80 per cent of EMA students receiving the full £30 a week - meaning they come from a household with an income of less than £20, 817.
More than 600,000 students are currently receiving EMA, which is keeping many in education. EMA allows them to pay for their travel, books and resources – fundamental to their continuing education. Under proposed cuts the funding would be savagely slashed with just £70 million to be put into a new scheme, a dramatic drop from the current £570 million.
NUS Vice President Further Education in his latest blog wrote: “We have witnessed a truly historic campaign in recent months. Led by the student and trade union movement at its best, the Save EMA campaign has brought together students, teachers, parents, principals, governors and the entire education sector under the same banner for the first time.
“This overwhelming coalition comes with a clear message – that abolishing EMA is a mistake – and we must now rely on our elected representatives to do the right thing in Parliament.”
Help NUS' campaign to save the EMA, email your MP now. You can find template letters and contact details here. Follow @nusuk on Twitter for regular updates.