THE principals of the town’s further education colleges have warned that there could be serious consequences if the Government votes to scrap the education maintenance allowance today.

Last year it was announced that the Coalition planned to scrap the allowance, which sees students receive payments of up to £30 a week for continuing their studies beyond the age of 16.

More than 2,100 students at Swindon College and New College receive the payments, which are given to young people from households with an income of less than £20,800 a year.

Swindon College principal Andrew Miller said: “One of the reasons the Government introduced the EMA was to get more 16 to 18-year-olds to stay in education past the age of 16.

“That has worked and, depending on what report you look at, there has been between a six and ten per cent increase, which is great.

“The EMA targets vulnerable and financially deprived young people who need that extra bit of money in their pocket and encourages them to stay.

“If they take it away completely it does mean that those students, particularly those who claim the full EMA, are going to be hard hit.”

Mr Miller sent a statement to both North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland expressing his concerns.

New College principal Graham Taylor said he is also concerned but there will be options for students if the grant goes.

“What we can do is look at part-time courses and gear the time tables so they can get out and work and pay their way,” he said.

“If they can get to college then we will do out level best to help out,” he said.

Luc Jefferies, 16, of Eldene, is studying for a business level three National Diploma at Swindon College, and receives £30 a week from the scheme.

“Of all the things that they could get rid of, this is the one thing that keeps a lot of people in college,” he said.

“If they had got rid of it last year I wouldn’t be in college because I wouldn’t have the money to afford to come here.

“Potentially, I could have to give my place up.”

Natalie Davison, 17, of West Swindon, who is on the same course, lives on her own and said: “If I didn’t have it I would have to find work and lose my place at college.”

The students use the money for travel, food, textbooks, and course materials.