Download IslingtonLife - Autumn 2012 - Islington Council

Welcome
www.islington.gov.uk
Cllr Catherine West,
Leader of the Council
Top right
Islington's Citizens Advice Bureau is here
to provide advice on money, work and
housing issues.
Bottom right
Catherine congratulates students from
Central Foundation Boys' School on their
A-level results.
Welfare reforms and legal aid cuts
over the last two years have left
more people in Islington seeking free,
independent advice on money, work
and housing issues. By providing
a £3.5 million funding boost for
local community support services,
including Citizens Advice, Help on
Your Doorstep and Islington People’s
Rights, we at the council are doing
everything we can to reach those
who need our help.
But from April next year even more
government changes to housing,
welfare and council tax benefits will
kick in. I am concerned about what
these will mean for many in our
community.
We’re on the side of our residents
so this issue’s main feature sets out
how the changes might affect you
and where you can get help.
Young people have been hit
particularly hard. For years, thousands
of Islington’s 16-19 year olds growing
up in low income households relied on
Educational Maintenance Allowance
(EMA) to help them stay in education.
The Government’s decision to abolish
it has made their lives even tougher.
I believe we should help all our
children fulfil their potential and have
spoken to so many young people who
told me what a lifeline EMA support
was. We’ve listened and I’m delighted
that Islington Council is now offering
new education bursaries to help
teenagers through college. Young
people can apply for help with the cost
of books, travel and other study-related
items. Find out more on page 7.
Congratulations to all
Islington students and
staff who worked so
hard to achieve record
exam results this year.
Our new education
bursaries will make it
easier for more young
people in Islington to
keep studying and get
the qualifications they
need to fulfil their
potential.
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