“The EMA scheme gives payments of between £10 and £30 a week to enable young people post-16 to stay on in further education and has helped hundreds of young people in Blackpool to gain further education and training after GCSEs and enhance their job and career prospects” Mr Marsden said.

“The numbers benefiting from this in Blackpool have gone up from 704 in 2004/05 to 1,837 last year – an increase of over two and a half times. I’ve seen for myself from meeting and talking with students in sixth-forms and colleges across Blackpool how the EMA funding has transformed their aspirations, confidence and achievement – and their family’s education hopes”.

Mr Marsden, who has been part of the special Committee of MPs looking at Government legislation to raise full-time participation in education and training to 18 by 2017, added “this achievement is vital to Blackpool’s regeneration – improving the skills base of our young people and contributing to the local economy. The Conservatives are refusing to support the future of this scheme but without it our chances of hitting the targets we need and supporting all our young people will be seriously flawed.