Since the General Election Liberal Democrats at every level, have been united in a belief that despite the dire national financial position, people in genuine need of help should not be prevented by financial barriers from attending school, college or training.

This weeks announcement about Educational Maintenance Allowances is a big positive step in the right direction.

• 1. The government has recognised the need to continue to support people currently on EMA as they finish their studies. Therefore everybody who started their course this academic year and is on the £30 per week rate will continue to receive payments of £20 per week in their second year. All students on EMA who started their course in the 2009/10 academic year will continue to receive the full rate.
• 2. An additional £15 million will be set aside to provide bursaries of £1,200 for the most vulnerable students, such as those in care, with severe disabilities or single parents living on their own. This is more than the maximum available to students currently on EMA.
• 3. Schools, colleges and training providers will have £165 million each year put into a discretionary learner support fund which will be available for them to distribute to students facing financial need. This is the equivalent of just over £800 for every young person who received free school meals at the age of 15.

Across the country students face very different costs and barriers to attending school or college. In some places students have to travel a long distance to attend. On some courses the cost of equipment is prohibitively expensive.

This is why under the new plans schools and colleges will decide individually exactly how to distribute the money available to support their students in need.

I feel proud that due to Lib Dems being in government this new EMA regime will be implimented and give more help to those truly in need.