EMA-DNESS

The campaign against Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) cuts took a new turn this week after a mistaken call out that there was going to be a vote in Parliament last Tuesday (11th) (OK, hands up, in SchNEWS but we got the info from Unison). In fact, no vote had been planned, but a public meeting was taking place at the House of Commons to discuss the parliamentary decree that was going to push through the decision to cut funding without a vote or consultation.

The London demo that was originally planned for the 11th was cancelled after the mistake was discovered, but student groups in some cities went ahead with anti-cuts actions, not letting the Tories get away with their bull in a china shop approach to welfare for the poorest in society.

Protests included gatherings in Nottingham, which saw a good turnout for a city-centre march and Vodafone occupation; Cornwall, where students marched on the town hall in Truro; and Leeds, where a banner drop proclaiming ‘Save EMA’ was unfurled on a bridge across a motorway.

Labour politicians have now put forward a motion to push a vote on the decision to scrap the EMA payments, and a date for the vote has been set for the 19th January. Campaign groups are calling for students to rally outside parliament on the day of the vote - meet at 4pm at Piccadilly Circus to march on parliament at 5pm.

Another date for your anarchist diary is the 26th of January, when a national day of walkouts has been planned for schools, colleges and universities across the country. Demonstrations have also been organised in London and Manchester for the 29th – a Saturday, giving workers the opportunity to join the fun. The walkouts and demos will go ahead no matter what the outcome of the vote on the 19th.Campaigners are calling for students to join the actions and refuse to let parliament snatch away the only support available for people on low incomes to go into further education.

*www.anticuts.com