A college has given Tesco vouchers to help hard-up students waiting for their educational maintenance allowances.
A college has given Tesco vouchers to help hard-up students waiting for their educational maintenance allowances.
Blackburn College gave £10 vouchers to "tide over" more than a thousand students who had not received payments.
Blackburn College gave £10 vouchers to "tide over" more than a thousand students who had not received payments.
The college's deputy principal, Lisa O'Loughlin, says there have been real concerns about students dropping out because of the problems with the EMAs.
The college's deputy principal, Lisa O'Loughlin, says there have been real concerns about students dropping out because of the problems with the EMAs.
Last week, the government said there was still a backlog of 40,000 students waiting for the delayed payments.
Last week, the government said there was still a backlog of 40,000 students waiting for the delayed payments.
The means-tested allowances of up to £30 per week should have been available to students at the beginning of term, but more than two months later many youngsters are still suffering from unresolved administration problems.
The means-tested allowances of up to £30 per week should have been available to students at the beginning of term, but more than two months later many youngsters are still suffering from unresolved administration problems.
Staying on
Staying on
A government agency, the Learning and Skills Council, outsourced the delivery of the payments to a private company, Liberata, in a contract worth more than a million pounds per month.
A government agency, the Learning and Skills Council, outsourced the delivery of the payments to a private company, Liberata, in a contract worth more than a million pounds per month.
Nigel Robbins wants to see someone take charge of the EMA problem
Nigel Robbins wants to see someone take charge of the EMA problem
The £10 Tesco vouchers - which can be redeemed against foodstuffs - given out to students last week were an attempt by Blackburn College to assist students from very deprived backgrounds, says the vice-principal.
The £10 Tesco vouchers - which can be redeemed against foodstuffs - given out to students last week were an attempt by Blackburn College to assist students from very deprived backgrounds, says the vice-principal.
"Retention is a real issue," said Lisa O'Loughlin.
"Retention is a real issue," said Lisa O'Loughlin.
"There is constantly a tension between staying on to learn and going out to get a job and earn some money."
"There is constantly a tension between staying on to learn and going out to get a job and earn some money."
Ms O'Loughlin, like many college leaders, says the education maintenance allowances have helped more students to stay on beyond the age of 16.
Ms O'Loughlin, like many college leaders, says the education maintenance allowances have helped more students to stay on beyond the age of 16.
In the case of her further education college she says the allowances do now appear to be arriving for students.
In the case of her further education college she says the allowances do now appear to be arriving for students.
But there are delays still frustrating other colleges - and there have been accusations that the problem would have been fixed much more quickly if it had affected university students or more middle-class sixth formers.
But there are delays still frustrating other colleges - and there have been accusations that the problem would have been fixed much more quickly if it had affected university students or more middle-class sixth formers.
"College staff have continued to support students in difficult circumstances but they are frustrated that the problems have still not been fully resolved," said the president of the Association of Colleges, David Collins.
"College staff have continued to support students in difficult circumstances but they are frustrated that the problems have still not been fully resolved," said the president of the Association of Colleges, David Collins.
"There has been some progress but the administration of the system is not at the professional standard required."
"There has been some progress but the administration of the system is not at the professional standard required."
'Frustrating'
'Frustrating'
Among the college heads who have raised concerns is Nigel Robbins, principal of Cirencester College in Gloucestershire, who was awarded an OBE for his services to further education.
Among the college heads who have raised concerns is Nigel Robbins, principal of Cirencester College in Gloucestershire, who was awarded an OBE for his services to further education.
A-level student Luke Brewer is still waiting for his money
A-level student Luke Brewer is still waiting for his money
He says that at present about 200 of his students are still waiting for the means-tested payments - and says that the government does not seem to be able to control such outsourced responsibilities.
He says that at present about 200 of his students are still waiting for the means-tested payments - and says that the government does not seem to be able to control such outsourced responsibilities.
"I get the impression ministers have lost their grip on things - partly because so much has been outsourced," he said.
"I get the impression ministers have lost their grip on things - partly because so much has been outsourced," he said.
Mr Robbins says it has been "hugely frustrating" that what he says has been a real success story has now been "completely cocked up".
Mr Robbins says it has been "hugely frustrating" that what he says has been a real success story has now been "completely cocked up".
"What has really upset me is that this is a really good scheme, one of the best things that this government has put in place for education," he said.
"What has really upset me is that this is a really good scheme, one of the best things that this government has put in place for education," he said.
"There's no sense of anyone seeming to realise how much of a mistake has been made. It is disgraceful," said Mr Robbins.
"There's no sense of anyone seeming to realise how much of a mistake has been made. It is disgraceful," said Mr Robbins.
An A-level student at the college, 18-year-old Luke Brewer, is also vehement in his criticism of the nine-week delay. He is particularly angry at the difficulties with the helpline.
An A-level student at the college, 18-year-old Luke Brewer, is also vehement in his criticism of the nine-week delay. He is particularly angry at the difficulties with the helpline.
"The biggest problem is trying to get in touch. It's like trying to communicate with a brick wall," he says.
"The biggest problem is trying to get in touch. It's like trying to communicate with a brick wall," he says.
The idea behind the allowance is to stop youngsters from drifting off into low-skilled jobs - by giving them some spending money.
The idea behind the allowance is to stop youngsters from drifting off into low-skilled jobs - by giving them some spending money.
But now he says, without any allowance, students are cutting back on food, struggling to borrow money for travelling to college and have no money for any leisure.
But now he says, without any allowance, students are cutting back on food, struggling to borrow money for travelling to college and have no money for any leisure.
In terms of the message, he says it seems to be saying "we'll educate those who have got the money".
In terms of the message, he says it seems to be saying "we'll educate those who have got the money".
"It's been a really bad experience."
"It's been a really bad experience."
There is also a frustration that no-one is listening to their problem.
There is also a frustration that no-one is listening to their problem.
"Students feel powerless. They feel it's pointless trying to take on big organisations," he said.
"Students feel powerless. They feel it's pointless trying to take on big organisations," he said.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said the delay in the delivery of EMA payments in England was completely unacceptable and the Learning and Skills Council was working with the outsourced company, Liberata, to resolve the problems.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said the delay in the delivery of EMA payments in England was completely unacceptable and the Learning and Skills Council was working with the outsourced company, Liberata, to resolve the problems.
In terms of applying any sanctions on Liberata, the Learning and Skills Council put out a statement from David Hughes, Regional Director for London.
In terms of applying any sanctions on Liberata, the Learning and Skills Council put out a statement from David Hughes, Regional Director for London.
âWe cannot comment on contract issues between the LSC and Liberata; they remain commercial in confidence."
âWe cannot comment on contract issues between the LSC and Liberata; they remain commercial in confidence."
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Send us your comments on this story, using the form below.
Lots of money for bankers but none for students... Russell, Reading
Lots of money for bankers but none for students... Russell, Reading
My son is now owed 10 weeks EMA. He has had his contract returned weeks ago. His payment was input during October by EMA who input his bank details incorrectly.The payment was rejected by his bank and after numerous phonecalls mistake was admitted by EMA, but I still had to return proof of his bank details to them. Still no payment.Jayne Davison, Carshalton England
My son is now owed 10 weeks EMA. He has had his contract returned weeks ago. His payment was input during October by EMA who input his bank details incorrectly.The payment was rejected by his bank and after numerous phonecalls mistake was admitted by EMA, but I still had to return proof of his bank details to them. Still no payment.Jayne Davison, Carshalton England
I have personally emailed Jim Knight but with no response. I am fuming that students are not getting their allowance. Govt should have given colleges a fund so they could bail out students - certainly more needy than banks. This is not education, education, education. It is causing ordinary students to make life changing decisions about their education and therefore their careers etc. how short sighted is this govt. Have to agree that if university students would be seen as more needy as university becoming domain of middle class. This will put students off applying for uni. so where is the govt. strategy there. disgusted!mary colclough, sheffield
After being accepted into college I applied for EMA, but was told that my household was over the income limit, and that I wasn't eligible. However, I wonder if they actually take into account the bills that need to be paid each month at all? We've never been a well off family, and my parents just didn't have the money to fund my travel costs, as well as the costs for stationary, etc that were required. A friend of mine had a similar problem, and was denied EMA despite the fact that her parents were less than £100 over the threshold, which is really quite ridiculous. Because of this, we both had to find part time jobs in telesales, (which we both hated,) and consequently had less time to actually spend actually doing homework and coursework. The money that we earned pretty much went toward getting the bus to and from college and work, with practically nothing left at the end of the week to actually spend on ourselves to try to relax. The two years actually spent at college were so stressful, I can't help thinking that it was a waste of time.Robyn, Cheshire
After being accepted into college I applied for EMA, but was told that my household was over the income limit, and that I wasn't eligible. However, I wonder if they actually take into account the bills that need to be paid each month at all? We've never been a well off family, and my parents just didn't have the money to fund my travel costs, as well as the costs for stationary, etc that were required. A friend of mine had a similar problem, and was denied EMA despite the fact that her parents were less than £100 over the threshold, which is really quite ridiculous. Because of this, we both had to find part time jobs in telesales, (which we both hated,) and consequently had less time to actually spend actually doing homework and coursework. The money that we earned pretty much went toward getting the bus to and from college and work, with practically nothing left at the end of the week to actually spend on ourselves to try to relax. The two years actually spent at college were so stressful, I can't help thinking that it was a waste of time.Robyn, Cheshire
I was one of the people who did not get EMA at school; despite getting the best A-Level results in my schools history I didn't get a 'exam bonus' whereas my peers who mostly failed got approx. £100 as a 'reward' for going to all the exams. The aforementioned people wasted their EMA on alcohol and going out and I struggled to buy the required text books to pass my exams. Similar to how the government neglects university students if their parents are on the middle income bracket. I personally think EMA is a waste of money. It could be spent much more sensibly. Warren , Cambridge
I am a student from a hard working family on a low income, i myself have worked hard all through the summer and on weekends but still need my ema (which i am still waiting for). Living rurally i could have gone to my local college but they simply didnât offer the courses i wanted, instead i have to pay £440 to get to college. Without ema i wouldnât be able to afford this and would be stuck doing courses i didnât like going no where. I think people who think ema is a waste of money should have a look at the bigger picture!Josh, Somerset
i have 3 children all due the £30.00 so thats £90.00 a week lost. One has now come through but still no payments, one has come through but only half the payments have been received and one i have been told will be sent next week 3 times. the hotline now just pulls the plug on you. If I was that inefficient I would be sacked.helen wellby, potters bar
There are also problems with the Adult Learning Grant, which is the same as EMA, but for those over 18. My forms were returned three times because I didn't fill in a section of the form that I didn't need to - yet I ended up filling it in because they wouldn't accept it until I had. I've only just managed to sort out the forms now - and should have the money by the end of this month, but it's three months later than it should have been if someone had been paying attention.Craig Bean, Nuneaton
Me and all my friends had to work through college and A-levels. It must be nice to have all your time to study but I can't help but think that the skills that we learned in our part-time jobs are far more important that £30 a week to spend on alco-pops and fags.Emma , Torbay
