Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:58 pm on 13 July 2022.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd dros dro. I'll keep it short. I understand that the Government is being pulled in all different directions by Members on what they should be spending on, and there are a number of priorities to consider. I would like to make the case for increasing the payments of the education maintenance allowance. It was a massive relief to families when it was introduced back in 2004. It continues to be a massive relief for families, and I think, actually, it's a massive positive that the Welsh Government has managed to retain it for as long as they have. Currently a payment is worth £30 a week. It's been that since 2004, and the Bevan Foundation has rightly pointed out that in order for it to be of the same value as it was in 2004, the payment would need to increase to £45 a week. So, I would urge the Government to consider increasing EMA payments.