Supporting young people’s ambitions
East End Life, November 12
Amongst so much gloomy economic news I am
delighted to be able to launch a local policy which will bring
financial help and the prospect of a brighter future for our young
people.
You will have read in this edition about my policy to fill the
void left by government cuts – the Mayor’s Education Award is our
replacement to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Many
young people had told me that the government cuts to the EMA would
mean they would need to get a part time job instead of focusing on
their studies. Some even told me they simply would not be able to
afford to travel to school.
When I was elected, I pledged to protect residents from the
effects of an economic crisis they did not cause. Central
government’s decision to scrap the EMA directly affected those
least to blame for the economic mess and thwarted the ambitions of
a generation.
I believe councils must use all the powers at their disposal to
improve the lives of local people and I hope other local
authorities will follow our lead in this. I am confident that this
policy, alongside the £400,000 investment in 1:1 tuition and
masterclasses for A level students, will help replicate the
enormous improvements we have seen in GCSE results over the last
five years.
This success is testament to the partnership work between our
local schools and the council, working together to provide the
services our young people need to succeed.
This success is also due to hard work and commitment by our
young people – they deserve our confidence, support and investment
to drive this borough to ever greater achievements. In addition to
the education they deserve, I want residents to take advantage of
the job opportunities on their doorstep.
Last Friday I attended the council’s jobs fair which gave direct
access to Olympic Gamestime employment and provided support to
people looking for work.
This week Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and I want to take this
opportunity to wish all residents Eid Mubarak.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman