When I asked what EMA was, I was informed, "It's money from the government for going to school." Eh? School pupils get paid to go to school? "Not everyone gets it," I was told, "depends on how much parents earn." A well-informed teenager proceeded to explain the intricacies of applying for EMA.
EMA is available to older school children throughout the UK and costs the taxpayer well in excess of £500 million. With today's financial problems this is one of these policies which should be binned. The handout is £30 a week for up to 42 weeks a year.
If a child doesn't want to go to school they won't go. Any youngster of 16+ will receive far more than £30 a week from unemployment benefit. Paying children to attend school (because this is an attendance payment, not a performance one), is teaching our young nothing about the value of money except it could well grow on trees.
I do want a socially responsible society and government but this is a step too far.
Posts
2 comments:
It keeps the unemployment figures down though!
Aye true, but what does it say to our youngsters about values?
Must have missed the introduction of this one. Took my breath away when I heard about it. The kids just think it's great and use it to top up their phones, pay for their downloads etc.
Now we're bankrupt or nearly, don't you think this type of policy has to go?
Must sound out the rector of my old school...
Post a Comment