EDUCATION grants, abolished in England over a decade ago by the Tory-led coalition government, are to be extended to more students in Wales.

The education maintenance allowance (EMA), which gives students aged 16 to 18 a weekly allowance for transport, meals and other costs, was axed in 2011 — in a blatant breach of a Lib-Dem election pledge.

The devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland continued to pay the weekly grants.

Today, the Welsh government announced plans to raise the family income threshold at which EMA can be claimed, adding 3,500 students to more than 16,000 already receiving it.

The grant in Wales is £40, and £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Welsh Minister for Further Education Vikki Howells said: “Despite 14 years of austerity, the Welsh Labour government chose to protect EMA while the Conservatives cut the fund back in 2011.

“We are very proud of our record of maintaining and now increasing EMA for post-16 learners.”