IT was their own “day of action” against a controversial plan that will affect them – and thousands of their peers.

Student campaigners lined up to sign a petition against the scrapping of a grant given to more than 15,000 Hampshire and Isle of Wight teenagers, as MPs debated the issue in Parliament.

Youngsters at Itchen College said it was part of a last push nationally to change ministers’ minds about scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

Nearly 2,000 students attending Southampton’s three colleges alone receive the grant, which at the highest level amounts to £30 a week.

Yesterday, MPs debated the issue in Parliament, as the Labour Party introduced a motion calling for the Government to “rethink” its plans to axe EMA.

But education Minister Michael Gove argued the money was “poorly targeted” and last night it was defeated by 317 to 258.

Now college bosses fear the cuts will prevent some Hampshire teenagers staying in education after their GCSEs.

Barry Hicks, principal at Itchen College, says it will put poorer students in a very difficult position, as they struggle to fund further studies. Around half of students at the college currently receive the payment as long as they have 100 per cent attendance.

He said: “We’re very concerned for young people.

“The Government keeps saying there’s going to be a replacement which would target a minority of students but we have had no details yet.

“It’s students who have already started a two-year course that I feel particularly sorry for because they have made a financial decision to go to college knowing they’ll get money from the EMA, only to have it taken away halfway through.”

Mr Hicks says the concept that most teenagers who receive the EMA spend it on things outside their studies is wrong.

He added: “I was listening to a radio debate and there were so many people phoning in and saying ‘Oh those students will just spend it on fags and booze’ – as if that minority of people who abuse the system actually represents everybody, and it’s just so untrue.”

Yesterday, campaigners lobbied Yesterday, campaigners lobbied MPs in the House of Commons and a rally was organised in Parliament Square.

Students at Southampton City College have also signed the petition and met Southampton Itchen MP John Denham earlier this week to discuss their concerns.

Principal Lindsey Noble says 55 per cent of their students receive the allowance, and it would cost £690,000 a year if the college were to try to continue funding payments.

She said: “There’s definitely concern and anxiety about this and most students who really depend on the EMA, who are receiving the highest amount, say they probably would not be able to come to college without it because of the transport costs.

“The poorest students are saying very clearly to us that it costs £15 or £20 a week to travel here and without that money they can’t come.”

Southampton’s colleges say they are now working with bus companies, bike schemes and the local authority to see if more can be done to help students afford their journeys.

The EMA scheme closed to new applicants in January and those currently receiving the allowance will see it stopped at the end of the academic year.

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What is EMA?

The Education Maintenance Allowance is given to 16 to 18-year-olds who are in education.

It’s paid directly to youngsters who are living in households where annual income is less than £30,800 Teenagers can qualify for weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30, depending on their parents’ earnings.

The cash also depends on students going to lessons and there are bonuses at Christmas and the end of the year for those who have 100 per cent attendance records.

Official research released by the Young People’s Learning Agency revealed 11,562 students in the Hampshire County Council area claimed the allowance last year, while there were 2,797 in Southampton and 1,961 in the Isle of Wight.

The Government has now closed the scheme to new applicants and those receiving it currently will only get it until the end of the academic year.