Leeds students hold EMA cuts protest

Students in Leeds took to the streets of the city centre this teatime to protest against the abolition of the education maintenance allowance (EMA). In the region of 100 students marched from the Parkinson Steps at the University of Leeds, down Woodhouse Lane and then staged a noisy protest outside Leeds Civic Hall. Students ended up at Leeds Metropolitan University students' union, where they held a meeting to discuss their campaign. They were watched by a small but high profile police presence. One student protester, 21-year-old Olivia Wild, said: "The EMA is vital for me. I wanted to get a degree, but with rising tuition fees, I'm wondering if it is really worth it." Another, Mark Hughes, 18, added: "Education should be for all, not just those who can afford it. The government is excluding a lot of young people from further education. For me, this march is also about showing solidarity with the workers at Leeds council, whose jobs could be threatened by government cuts." The maintenance grant was rolled out in 2004 in a bid to encourage more 16 to 19-year-olds from lower income families to stay in full-time education. The chancellor, George Osborne, has said the £30 weekly payment was to be replaced by "more targeted support". What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.