Claire Baker, Labour's Further and Higher Education spokesperson, has today warned against any erosion of the Educational Maintenance Allowances scheme, which helps students who remain in education beyond 16.

Claire Baker said:

"Labour introduced Educational Maintenance Allowances to encourage pupils and students from deprived backgrounds to stay in education after turning 16.

"Last year the SNP made a 20 percent cut to the budget for EMAs - totalling nearly £8million. Any further cuts could therefore have very serious implications indeed.

"We must ensure that every young person in Scotland can reach their full potential and we'll be looking very closely at the government's consultation to ensure any proposed changes are fair and in the best interests of our poorest pupils and students."