Defend EMA

NIYF members will be joining other young people from across the region on Friday 14th March to protest against cuts to Education Maintenance Allowance.

Last year, the Department for Employment and Learning at Stormont began a consultation process on plans to slash EMA payments to young people. Of the 5 options in the consultation paper, none offered the retention of £10 and £20 payments. The Youth Forum made it clear that this was unacceptable to our members and to young people through our own consultation process.

NIYF vice chair, Rhíannon Kelly, said:

“We cannot stand idly by as government continues to slash at services for young people. Youth services already make up less than 3% of the education budget”

“Moves to cut EMA from young people who were previously identified as coming from backgrounds which would benefit from financial support and incentives to stay in education represent a retrograde step”

“We welcome the successes of our allies, like NUS-USI, in winning a fairer deal for young people than the original DEL plans. However, our members continue to tell us that they feel like they’re being attacked by these proposals. As long as that continues to be the case, we must champion their cause and promote their voice”

The planned protest will take place at Belfast City Hall at 4.30pm on 14th March