Many thanks to the Oxford Mail for giving such excellent coverage to the Government’s plans to axe Education Maintenance Allowances (December 15).

The two local further education colleges are right to protest when such a large proportion of their students will lose this vital allowance.

Oxford & Cherwell Valley College estimates that about 1,500, or nearly half, of their students currently receive it.

EMA has been credited with substantially increasing the numbers of 16- to 18-year-olds who stay on to study and train.

It is only paid to students in poorer families and helps pay for transport, books and equipment – items which these families would otherwise struggle to afford.

It will affect school students as well, of course. And all of these young people will effectively be priced out of the education which is available as a matter of course to the better off.

This is bad for Oxfordshire’s economy, as well as being a tragedy for the individuals and their families – because it is a tragedy if teenagers have to leave education and look for work simply because they cannot afford to stay on and complete their studies.

The Government has promised a new discretionary scheme targeted at the poorest – but has announced a cut of £500m from the current £574m budget.

The Child Poverty Action Group campaigns for all children and young people to have a fair chance in life.

We hope all your readers will join us in protesting to our MPs, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer about this cut.

Sue Tanner, Oxford & District, Child Poverty Action Group, Sunningwell Road, Oxford