Gove's bursary plan 'is a shambles'

Michael Gove was accused of presiding over a 'shambles' yesterday (AP)

Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, was accused of presiding over a "shambles" yesterday after he announced a £180m bursary scheme to help the poorest teenagers to continue their studies after 16. The fund will replace the £560m Education Maintenance Allowance, which was controversially scrapped last year.

The decision to establish the bursary was revealed last week by The Independent.

Mr Gove said the initiative would comprise an annual payment of £1,200 for the "most vulnerable" teenagers and a "discretionary fund" for colleges to hand out.

Andy Burnham, the shadow Education Secretary, said: "It is yet another shambles from a minister who lurches from one disaster to another."