Today as part of the government's drive to lower our budget deficit, Parliament voted to abolish the "EMA", the "Education Maintainance Allowance". For any 16-19 year old in Further Education (college in the UK, High School in much of the rest of the world) whose family earned less than £21k pa they would get an "allowance" of £30 per week for attending college. This was reduced to £20 per week for those whose families earned upto approx £25k pa, and £10/week for those whose families earned upto approx £30k pa. A much smaller and more targetted scheme of support for those in need will be offered locally instead now.

This scheme costs the government over half a billion pounds per annum.

Frankly, I say good riddance. I don't see why the taxpayer should provide a booze and fags allowance to school kids. I have hired in my time a lot of part-time college students, some who do and some who don't receive the EMA. What they all had in common though is a lot of going out socialising.

We wouldn't give a 5 year old an allowance from the government, I don't see why a 17 year old should get an allowance that if we're honest goes on underage drinking. If they want to be independent and be able to spend their own money they should get a part time job.