England 'must do better' as Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland provide grants for college students

The EMA was controversially scrapped in England by education secretary, Michael Gove, who had not visited a further college at the time. The grant provides funding to encourage students from the poorest backgrounds to stay on in education at school or college.

The revised EMA in Northern Ireland is more generous than the similar Scottish and Welsh schemes. From the beginning of academic year 2013/2014, eligible 16-19 year old students in full-time education will qualify for a £30 weekly payment if the family income for a single student is less than £20,500 or £22,500 when there are two or more students. Students may also be entitled to a biannual bonus award of £200 payable in two payments of £100.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "We are pleased that the Northern Ireland government has continued to support students from the poorest backgrounds who want to stay on in education. England now stands alone as the only nation that does not offer this vital support and must do better.

"Many students in England, who would qualify for the EMA, will be left without the assistance they need to stay on at college, resulting in some leaving education at 16. That makes little sense when we consider the already large numbers of young people not in work, education or training in the country."