Allowance cut puts family in degree of debt

THE Back to Education Allowance (BEA), which is enabling Mike Power to get a degree in science, is something he quite simply sees as his last chance.

He lost his sales job three years ago when the company shut down and he has to support his wife Liz and four children We decided we would be able to scrape through on the 274 a week the scheme offered. It would be worth it.”

Due to cutbacks this year, however, his support was cut by 25%.

“We have now gone into debt in order for me to finish this year. Before the allowance was cut we were just keeping our heads above water, but now we are struggling. ,” the 34-year-old said.