Students across UK protest over loss of support grant

Protests are taking place in colleges around England over government plans to axe the education maintenance allowance next year.

Students, lecturers and trade unionists have planned events at about 100 sites.

The government plans to scrap the scheme in England, which is aimed at encouraging poorer pupils to stay in education, from September next year.

Supporters of the EMA, which is worth up to £30 a week, say it stops thousands of students dropping out.