Labour promise to bring back Education Maintenance Allowance

The Labour party has revealed plans to re-introduce EMA, and raising corporation tax in order to fund it.

The EMA is aimed at supporting pupils from low-income households who are in education between 16 and 19.

The fund was scrapped in 2010 by the coalition government, however, it was carried on in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Labour pledged to bring back the payments last August and the party has now re-affirmed its commitment to the policy.

It’s the latest in a string of education policies announced by the party since an announcement last Tuesday that a snap election will be held on June 8.

According to Schools Week, Labour sources estimate that restoring EMA would cost £700 million in 2016-17, and the party plans to raise corporation tax by between one per cent and 1.5 per cent in order to fund that, and the £1.7 billion cost of university maintenance grants.

The party claims that HMRC data shows that a one per cent increase in corporation tax would raise £2 billion.

Ukip have also announced plans for the education sector, pledging to introduce mandatory checks for schoolgirls at risk of FGM.

Other parties such as the Conservatives, Green Party, and the Liberal Democrats, are yet to make any big education announcements.

However, their manifestos are expected to be published soon.