9. Short Debate: Education maintenance allowance: A lifeline in the current crisis

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 12 October 2022.

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Photo of Peredur Owen Griffiths Peredur Owen Griffiths Plaid Cymru 6:21, 12 October 2022

We've heard from Heledd just then about the—. And I want to go on from what Heledd was saying: the charity Barnardo's Cymru go as far as describing the EMA as a lifeline for many young people that they help. They go as far as saying that it can be the difference between a young carer being able to go into education or not. Unfortunately, many of these young carers end up being penalised, as Heledd said, through their EMA payments due to lateness or absence, which are often caused by their caring responsibilities. Minister, I hope you agree with me that a missed payment for these young people, who are only trying to improve their prospects but have extra responsibilities beyond their years, is wholly unfair. And Minister, would you also please explain to us what sort of level of care or protection is given to young people in receipt of EMA, especially young carers, to make sure that they are not exploited by third parties? Diolch yn fawr.