BSix students have launched a campaign for a new education maintenance allowance (EMA) to replace the one abolished three years ago.

Discussions between pupils at the college in Kenworthy Road, Lower Clapton have resulted in a proposal called the YEA, or Youth Education Allowance.

Before the 2010 general election, Education Secretary Michael Gove denied the EMA – which dated back to 1944 - was for the chop.

But the Coalition Government went on to scrap the UK-wide scheme which provided weekly finance to students from low-income households who continued into post-compulsory further education in 2010.

Labour Shadow Education Minister Tristram Hunt has recently said that Labour could bring the EMA back, and Leabridge ward councillors Ian Rathbone and Deniz Oguzkanli along with MP Diane Abbott are backing the young people at B6.

Cllr Rathbone said: “We fully support the students in their fight to get this allowance reintroduced as a way of ensuring better opportunity for all young people to stay on at school and get more qualifications and possibly move into further and higher education.”

A meeting is being held at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday November 28) at BSix college.

For more information email gilbert.smyth@gmail.com.