EMA

[The People's Hero]

More sensible proposal for EMA;

a. Attendance-based eligibility pre-16. If a student has less than, say, 95% attendance in High School years, then that student is not eligible to receive full EMA. Result- student takes responsibility for their attendance at school.

b. Behaviour-based eligibility. If a student has more than, say, three exclusions or detentions, then that student is not eligible to receive full EMA. Result - student takes responsibility for theri behaviour whilst in school.

c. Have a 'reward' system pre-16 whereby any student falling foul of a and b have an opportunity to regain full eligibility. This would need to be strictly monitored and only offered once. Result - any student that has their eligibilty removed has an incentive to work harder and turn their attendance/behaviour around, thereby regaining eligibility reinstated (but only once).

d. At the end of Year 11 offer EMA to all students with an upper limit of £15 per week, on a reducing scale.

A student who has satisified a and b and also has attained 5 or more GCSE's at c or above will get £15 per week. A student who has contravened a or b or both will have thier EMA reduced by £5 per 'failure'.

This way puts the onus on the individual student to take more responsibilty for their own education with the knowledge that if they don't perform, then it'll cost them financially. Just like it does in real life!

Idea needs a bit of tweaking but it would be much fairer and might even improve education.

I'm just trying to rile people, but you've really put some thought in to this.

Sadly, you've probably put more thought in than the Government agency responsible did.

[Wycombe Fox]

I'm just trying to rile people, but you've really put some thought in to this.

Sadly, you've probably put more thought in than the Government agency responsible did.

I know. It actually hit my family hard, at the wrong time, and crazily nearly destroyed us as a family unit.

[Simi]

I'm just trying to rile people, but you've really put some thought in to this.

You're doing a decent job.

[James.]

I suppose it's just a gateway buy-off.

The jump from nothing to JSA can come as quite a shock otherwise.

Nothing ---> EMA ---> JSA works a lot better.

So people get paid to go to school and then they get paid to not have a job.

This logic doesn't seem quite right to me. Especially when this money is being used to purchase alcohol, illegal substances and soft porn.

At any point do they have to take responsibility for their own actions?

[Phube]

I had to do a bloody Paperound... (couldn't be bothereed with a proper job!!)

And now they get to loaf...

[The People's Hero]

I know. It actually hit my family hard, at the wrong time, and crazily nearly destroyed us as a family unit.

For what it's worth - your proposals seem fine.

[Wycombe Fox]

For what it's worth - your proposals seem fine.

[Lamby]

Have they fixed thier comps yet? I have near enough £150 to come into my bank from it

[Tilley]

Wow.

I opened a can of worms here, didn't I.

Fortunately, I have had all my paperwork back, signed by myself and my college so I am ahead of most people, who haven't even had letters back yet.

To all the EMA haters, I see where you are coming from, but my mum's income is in the range for me to be entitled for it, my dad doesn't live with me anymore, hence I claim for EMA, because I'm entitled it it.

What is wrong with that

[Tilley]

Oh & for the record, my EMA, in the next few weeks, will be paying for all my course books & stuff which is actually around £50 at the minute.

[BigGibbo]

What is wrong with that

I don't think anyone actually cares! Its just a bit of banter.

[Tilley]

I don't think anyone actually cares! Its just a bit of banter.

Isle Of Wight Fox, certainly does

[Wycombe Fox]

Wow.

I opened a can of worms here, didn't I.

Fortunately, I have had all my paperwork back, signed by myself and my college so I am ahead of most people, who haven't even had letters back yet.

To all the EMA haters, I see where you are coming from, but my mum's income is in the range for me to be entitled for it, my dad doesn't live with me anymore, hence I claim for EMA, because I'm entitled it it.

What is wrong with that

Yo Tilley!

Nothing wrong at all. My gripe isn't an attack on those that receive EMA. You're right - you're entitled to it. My problem is with the system and the fact that it's based upon household income and not the child's academic interest, propensity to attend school and behave him/herself.

Basing it upon the household income means that for me, having two post-16 children, I would have to find an extra £240 a month for my children to be on equal terms with those that are on EMA. The government dropped this bombshell on us assuming those above a certain level of income would be able to pay.

[Tilley]

Yo Tilley!

Nothing wrong at all. My gripe isn't an attack on those that receive EMA. You're right - you're entitled to it. My problem is with the system and the fact that it's based upon household income and not the child's academic interest, propensity to attend school and behave him/herself.

Basing it upon the household income means that for me, having two post-16 children, I would have to find an extra £240 a month for my children to be on equal terms with those that are on EMA. The government dropped this bombshell on us assuming those above a certain level of income would be able to pay.

Thats fair enough.

Then I see where you are coming from with the whole attendance, grades etc up to year 11.

This would make sense for those who aren't entitled to it because their parents earn too much etc.

[Wycombe Fox]

Isle Of Wight Fox, certainly does

It is something I feel strongly about. I feel shafted by this government every which way at the moment and this EMA eligibility policy seems so unfair on my children.

Everybody or nobody should get EMA.

Anyway, I'll try to lighten up a bit now!!

Look at the pretty flowers...wibble wibble.

[James.]

Oh & for the record, my EMA, in the next few weeks, will be paying for cocaine which is actually around £50 a gram at the minute.

Sounds about right.

[Tilley]

Sounds about right.

Yep, the first thing I will do in the morning is withdraw my money & head for a coke dealer.

[The People's Hero]

I'm coming from a similar place as IOW fox - although it hasn't affected me directly as I don't have children.

I just don't think there is a need for it.

If you're at college and you want some money - get a part time job. I did.

I don't see why at times such as these, pointless handouts are on the rise.

[Tilley]

I'm coming from a similar place as IOW fox - although it hasn't affected me directly as I don't have children.

I just don't think there is a need for it.

If you're at college and you want some money - get a part time job. I did.

I don't see why at times such as these, pointless handouts are on the rise.

I have a part-time job.

I could live without my EMA, with ease.

But the fact I got a letter last year asking if I was entitled to it, I applied.

Without them sending me a letter last summer, I wouldn't have had any idea about it.

[Tabou]

I'm coming from a similar place as IOW fox - although it hasn't affected me directly as I don't have children.

I just don't think there is a need for it.

If you're at college and you want some money - get a part time job. I did.

I don't see why at times such as these, pointless handouts are on the rise.

Two words.

Labour. Government.

Time to hand it over Gordy Babes.

[Joe.]

Wow.

I opened a can of worms here, didn't I.

Fortunately, I have had all my paperwork back, signed by myself and my college so I am ahead of most people, who haven't even had letters back yet.

To all the EMA haters, I see where you are coming from, but my mum's income is in the range for me to be entitled for it, my dad doesn't live with me anymore, hence I claim for EMA, because I'm entitled it it.

What is wrong with that

*ahem*

[Dr The Singh]

I'm coming from a similar place as IOW fox - although it hasn't affected me directly as I don't have children.

I just don't think there is a need for it.

If you're at college and you want some money - get a part time job. I did.

I don't see why at times such as these, pointless handouts are on the rise.

The NHS, needs money, the poor need money, the old need money, Schools need money, the list goes on. Yet they give £30 a pop to students who may or may not want to study, and on something that wouldn't effect there immediate health and safety!!!

[Tilley]

*ahem*

Clearing your throat there mate?

[Tabou]

I have a part-time job.

I could live without my EMA, with ease.

But the fact I got a letter last year asking if I was entitled to it, I applied.

Without them sending me a letter last summer, I wouldn't have had any idea about it.

I can give you Scabies. You may not know your entitled to them, but If I send you a letter, will you then apply for them?

No.

For the record, I do not have scabies.

[The People's Hero]

I have a part-time job.

I could live without my EMA, with ease.

But the fact I got a letter last year asking if I was entitled to it, I applied.

Without them sending me a letter last summer, I wouldn't have had any idea about it.

You're acting all defensive as if you're the target.

You're not the target.

Re-read what I said and see if you can understand it without just thinking about yourself.