My own experience as a student has made me acutely aware of the challenges many young people face in pursuing further education. With the devastating blow of COVID-19, we've seen a notable decline in education. This emphasizes the vital need to reinstate the grant providing £30 per week for students choosing to engage in further education at Sixth Form.

Consider this: National Union of Students (NUS) in the UK reports that many students struggle to meet their basic needs without financial assistance, which impacts their academic performance and mental health. The £30 grant was intended to ease these strains, yet its removal has only perpetuated the problem. Reinstating this grant could not only boost education engagement rates, but also establish a more inclusive and fair educational platform for all students, regardless of their financial status. Thus giving students equal opportunities, no matter their background too.

The devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education have only amplified these difficulties, reinforcing the need for this support now more than ever. With your help, together we can reinstate the £30 per-week education grant to encourage further education. Sign this petition today, and empower our students to shape a brighter future for themselves and for our society.