SOME of the candidates hoping to become Worcester’s next MP have been grilled by college students on the future of education in a debate.
Worcester College of Technology students yesterday asked parties for clarification on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme which rewards means-tested school leavers for good attendance and achieving objectives.
Mike Foster (Labour), Louis Stephen (Green) and Paul Griffiths (representing Jackie Alderson, Lib Dem) said EMA would continue as it is if left to them.
Robin Walker (Con) said he supported EMA in principle but thought the system needed to be reviewed. Jack Bennett (UKIP) admitted he was not aware of the scheme but said university students could be helped with grants and vouchers, funded by the country’s withdrawl from the EU.
A Conservative manifesto pledge to allow parents, community groups and charities to set up new schools was put under the microscope with questions raised about whether people in Worcester would want, or have the resources, to set one up. Mr Walker said he thought it unlikely one would be set up in the city in the near future but denied city schools would lose funding because he said the money for new schools would come from elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Peter Nielsen (Independent) said he was “extremely annoyed” to have not been invited to the event along with Andrew Christian-Brookes (Independent), Spencer Kirby (BNP), and Andrew Robinson (Pirate Party UK).
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