Why I’m pledging to re-introduce EMA London-wide

Over the past year I’ve met thousands of young people from every London borough at college “Tell Ken” sessions. It is these young people who will shape London’s future, and listening to them talk about their dreams and aspirations is always inspiring.

But one thing has become very clear to me during these visits, and that is the devastating effect of the Tory-led government’s cuts upon the aspirations of our young people.

This morning I went to City of Westminster College to announce my pledge to re-introduce Education Maintenance Allowance London-wide. EMA, originally introduced by Labour, provided the poorest students with a weekly allowance of up to £30. This helped kids who may not otherwise have gone to college with the cost of books and travel.

It didn’t last long once the Tories got back into power and started implementing their ideologically driven package of cuts. Boris Johnson cried crocodile tears on Question Time, saying that he was concerned the abolition of EMA would have a “serious impact” on young people in London. But as usual he has failed to take any action to soften the blow.

Just like my plan to cut fares, this pledge is about fairness. It’s simply not good enough to say that the government is making cuts and there’s nothing we can do about it. All over London, Labour councils are coming up with creative ways to save local services. The mayor should be doing the same. Londoners can’t afford another four years of a part-time mayor who refuses to do anything to alleviate the impact of frozen wages and rising prices. I have pledged that if I am elected in May I will dedicate myself full-time to standing up for London.

The general election may not be until 2015. I hope it is sooner. But in the meantime it is the responsibility of Labour in local and regional government to do all we can to mitigate against the worst aspects of the government’s cuts agenda. I take that responsibility very seriously. For many poorer students, EMA was a lifeline that was snatched away. We are fortunate that in London we don’t have to wait until a Labour general election victory to bring it back.

Ken Livingstone is Labour’s candidate for Mayor of London.