MP welcomes increase in staying on rate

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen today welcomed the news that the number of 16 year olds staying on in education and training had doubled following the introduction of the EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance). The figures are contained in a report published by the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

He said: “This is excellent news. Rochdale was one of the last places in the country to introduce the EMA and a doubling of the numbers staying on is welcome news – particularly with plans for our new Six Form College coming on apace. The new Sixth Form is planned to open in 2012 and these figures will provide a firm base for the College to build on.

"It also underlies the point that financial support is an important factor in encouraging staying on rates. I just wish the government would apply the same logic to Higher Education. Student loans and tuition fees have acted as a powerful disincentive to young people in Rochdale going on to University. That has not been the case in Scotland which does not have the same system as England and Wales.”

Date article online: 14/04/2008