Thousands more learners across Wales will benefit from the Education Maintenance Allowance, as an uplift to claiming threshold was announced this week.

There are currently around 16,000 students claiming EMA- a grant designed to support students between the ages of 16-18 whose household income is below a certain amount.

The Welsh Labour Government has announced that they are uplifting the household income thresholds, meaning an estimated 3,500 more learners will be able to claim EMA from September 2025.

Member of the Senedd for Delyn, Hannah Blythyn MS, said:

“The Welsh EMA offer is breaking down barriers for learners in Wales. Everybody deserves equal opportunities to accessing education and providing weekly financial support is a tangible way the Welsh Labor Government is delivering this.

 

“Since 2020, more than 1800 learners across Flintshire have claimed EMA. At £40 at week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK and I am proud that the announced changes to claiming thresholds will mean even more young people in Delyn will be receiving this money from September.”

EMA can be used to help with education costs such as transport, meals or study supplies.

While Scotland and Northern Ireland offer £30 of EMA a week and the previous Conservative Government scrapped the EMA offer entirely for English learners in 2011, Wales is leading the way by increasing and expanding support for students.

Applications for the new EMA offer will be open in April 2025. If you would like more information about the EMA or help and advice from your Member of the Senedd, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales.