EMA

[Flynny]

How long have you been at Uni? My statement is based upon fact and personal experience.

Good for you, I am glad you made it. I would like to add that I was the first person to get into Uni in my family. I qualified for the full grant because my parents did not earn huge amounts of money. I managed this without any financial handouts from the government, and had to work for any spending money.

My problem is with the concept that undecided teenagers need a cash incentive to stay on past the age of 16. There have been, and always will be, those who come from lower income families that stay on. I'm sure it must be nice to be paid for the privilege. But you can't deny that EMA isn't seen as a way for some teens to stay on at school or college, who would not have stayed on if that money wasn't available and have done so because they see it as the easy option. However nobody has suggested that all 6th formers are like this.

The other point is it doesn't stop kids working all hours. It stops some kids from working all hours. This government bangs on about equality and getting kids from all backgrounds into further education, but it's not is it. There is no level playing field. There are some kids whose parents fall outside the criteria, but in real terms the families are no better off than those that fall within it! This suggests to me that it is not an aid, designed to stop students from needing to work, but a bribe to encourage more students to satisfy government targets.

As I have previously said, I would rather the money went towards helping those at University with fees and living costs to deal with, and not younger students still living at home, and benefitting from free education.

Like I said, it's a blunt instrument that works for some. It's really not that much money. Its worth it.

[fox123]

I think the lazy bastards that are on the dole should have £10 per week deducted from the Job Seekers Allowance, and this in turn should be then used to give these kids there £30 a week, let the lazy ****ers pay for the kids not us, to teach them they should of stayed in education or get off their lazy arse and not sponge of us hard earning tax payer!

[Guest]

Like I said, it's a blunt instrument that works for some. It's really not that much money. Its worth it.

Not individually, but add up all the payments made, and it's a lot of money that's being spent out that could go towards something more useful.

[The People's Hero]

Not individually, but add up all the payments made, and it's a lot of money that's being spent out that could go towards something more useful.

Yeah... I could do with some new threads.

[JoeyB]

I can see the point you tried to make. But it was worded very poorly, maybe you should take up English for your studies.

The statement you actually made was very silly. Some people have learning difficulties and lots of other reasons why they don't do so well at school. To say people recieve EMA because "their parents didn't try hard enough in school" is unbelievable. I'm sure every single parent tries to give thier children the best upbringing that they possibly can.

There is a number of reasons why people get EMA as already covered in this thread so I won't go any further, but just think before you post next time, especially on a topic where things can get personal.

English is a VERY weak subject of mine, and everywhere i go/ write anything i always get pulled up on it, i do try, but im just poor at english, maths im good at

I know i sounded like a twat last night, and i regret it!Just a few things got ontop of me, and i had to do something, and i apologize to everyone who upset, i know i shouldn't have vented it on here

Its just that their are people who i know who get £30 a week EMA money and they spend it on drugs, booze, and fags, where as their is me who i do get help from my parents (bar food, and drink at home, and they have just payed £50 for money i needed to enroll on my course) but if i want anything i have to do extra hours to earn it at work, which means missing away games, starting work at shit hours, just because their the only ones available so i can pay for my petrol, insurance, and anything else i want.

Yes their are other circumstances around, and each to everyone has their own, but the £30 a week in my view is too much, maybe £30 every 2 weeks.

Like Lisa said, more of the money should go towards university students, as most of them need more of the aid than college students.

One again im sorry if i upset some of you, and i really a sorry.

[The People's Hero]

English is a VERY weak subject of mine, and everywhere i go/ write anything i always get pulled up on it, i do try, but im just poor at english, maths im good at

I know i sounded like a twat last night, and i regret it!Just a few things got ontop of me, and i had to do something, and i apologize to everyone who upset, i know i shouldn't have vented it on here

Its just that their are people who i know who get £30 a week EMA money and they spend it on drugs, booze, and fags, where as their is me who i do get help from my parents (bar food, and drink at home, and they have just payed £50 for money i needed to enroll on my course) but if i want anything i have to do extra hours to earn it at work, which means missing away games, starting work at shit hours, just because their the only ones available so i can pay for my petrol, insurance, and anything else i want.

Yes their are other circumstances around, and each to everyone has their own, but the £30 a week in my view is too much, maybe £30 every 2 weeks.

Like Lisa said, more of the money should go towards university students, as most of them need more of the aid than college students.

One again im sorry if i upset some of you, and i really a sorry.

Mate, you're post may have been a little clumsily worded - but you're entitled to your opinion.. so don't be made to feel guilty about that.

All the best with the studies etc.

[Tommeh]

I've got many things to do today my day off, but 30 minutes have just been wasted reading this thread, some good points made I must admit.

The main gripe I have with EMA is how easily the system is to be cheated, for example if your parents have their own company, they can make up whatever wage they want and EMA go along.

I'm sure some of you do spend the money wisely but I knew about 6 people really well who were on it the last 2 years and all it was ever spent on was nights out, fuel and food, 1 even saved it up every week, putting it towards a car this sumer!

[Samilktray]

My main problem with EMA is the amount your parents earn doesnt necassarily reflect how much money you recieve off them.

Im sure thats already been said though.

[Alexikokopops]

That's it. There it is. In a nutshell.

Plus you need a bigger fund for alcohol and drugs at university than you do at school. So you will be glad for it in the long run.

Like I said, it's a blunt instrument that works for some. It's really not that much money. Its worth it.

I think the EMA is a good idea in principle, but I feel it should be more aimed at helping those with the potential to get to Uni who would find it more difficult otherwise (much like in your case Flynny where it helped you get down Bristol way), rather than just encouraging people to stay on for a couple of years before they get a job. With a more intelligent system it would hopefully free up more money which could then be used to help people at University who are struggling with the much greater costs. I have a friend whose parents have been divorced since she was young and she's had to take out a £10,000 loan on top of her student loan while working part time as much as she can to eventually get onto her LPC course to become a lawyer.

Don't ask me how it should be done, I just think it would be a better idea than throwing it at everyone who's parent(s) are below the threshold just to delay some of them from entering the job market by two years.

[Corky]

My main problem with EMA is the amount your parents earn doesnt necassarily reflect how much money you recieve off them.

Im sure thats already been said though.

That's my main gripe as well. But anyway, I'll never get it so there is no point moaning about it.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

How long have you been at Uni? My statement is based upon fact and personal experience.

A couple of weeks. But I have been receiving EMA for two years now. My statement is based on just as much fact as yours.

On the whole I know that things got rather heated in this thread, and can appreciate that different people will have variuos opinions on the subject. On reflection on some of the points made, by TPH / Lisa in particular, I can understand that the system is poorly constructed, but I won't be put into the same bracket as these apparent morons that have been described as receiving EMA. However, I've realised that of course my views will be different to others, be it because I'm a recepient of the payments or because of my age.

Perhaps my opinion is blinkered, but as long as it's what I think, and what I think is right, I'll be determined to address my points.

EDIT - And I do also think that there is definate substance to IoWF's idea of and attendance based / behaviour based payment system, therefore eliminating the nuisances from colleges / universities.

[Guest]

A couple of weeks. But I have been receiving EMA for two years now. My statement is based on just as much fact as yours.

On the whole I know that things got rather heated in this thread, and can appreciate that different people will have variuos opinions on the subject. On reflection on some of the points made, by TPH / Lisa in particular, I can understand that the system is poorly constructed, but I won't be put into the same bracket as these apparent morons that have been described as receiving EMA. However, I've realised that of course my views will be different to others, be it because I'm a recepient of the payments or because of my age.

Perhaps my opinion is blinkered, but as long as it's what I think, and what I think is right, I'll be determined to address my points.

EDIT - And I do also think that there is definate substance to IoWF's idea of and attendance based / behaviour based payment system, therefore eliminating the nuisances from colleges / universities.

I hope you don't think I'm lumping everyone into a category, I'm not. I can appreciate that there are people like you and Flynny who have worked hard, but I get the feeling you would have followed the same course regardless of the money.

I think there are always going to be problems when money is being given away for apparently little effort, and there will always be those who take the piss out of the system. Last year I had the misfortune to sign on, and it was the worst experience of my life. Yet there were people there who were on first name terms with all of the staff, and had no intention of getting a job. Some of them would sign on, then head straight to the nearest off-licence. It enraged me, to be fair!

It's very easy to be cynical. I guess that in a few years time, you might even out cynic some of the experts on here!!

[Simi]

It's really no coincidence when you see the people on each side of the argument.

[Guest]

It's really no coincidence when you see the people on each side of the argument.

I was thinking the same thing myself....

[Asha]

Logged into my internet account and noticed £60 has been paid in from EMA for the two weeks they were late, plus it's payday again on Thursday.

Check your accounts, they've probably done the same to you.

[Lamby]

Balance: £0.06

Still not paid

[lookwhaticando]

Balance: £0.06

Still not paid

However will you buy your drugs now?

[JakeShingler]

However will you buy your drugs now?

[Lamby]

However will you buy your drugs now?

Pick it myself

[SamL]

Logged into my internet account and noticed £60 has been paid in from EMA for the two weeks they were late, plus it's payday again on Thursday.

Check your accounts, they've probably done the same to you.

Don't you have to hand in some kind of form to your college before your payment has been made? I think they're meant to send you something first.

Have you already done this? Bitch, I want EMA so I can go buy my drugs and alcohol.

[Lamby]

Don't you have to hand in some kind of form to your college before your payment has been made? I think they're meant to send you something first.

Have you already done this? Bitch, I want EMA so I can go buy my drugs and alcohol.

That is true. EMA still aint processed my application <_<

[SamL]

That is true. EMA still aint processed my application <_<

I concur.

[JakeShingler]

Don't you have to hand in some kind of form to your college before your payment has been made? I think they're meant to send you something first.

Have you already done this? Bitch, I want EMA so I can go buy my drugs and alcohol.

[Asha]

Don't you have to hand in some kind of form to your college before your payment has been made? I think they're meant to send you something first.

Have you already done this? Bitch, I want EMA so I can go buy my drugs and alcohol.

Yeah I've done this, it's a letter with 2 identical forms, which you need to get signed, and keep one of them.

[Brainy]

Im checking mine Thursday.

I should have around £200 in there.