§ 12. Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)What plans he has to extend education maintenance awards to other areas. [123345]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Mr. Malcolm Wicks)Early signs from the existing education maintenance allowance pilots are very encouraging. Clearly, paying young people to continue their education has the potential to make a real difference to their lives and choices. We are extending the number of pilots to 41, and I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that one of them will be in east Lancashire.
§ Mr. PikeI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. He will recognise that in Burnley and in east Lancashire there is certainly more deprivation than elitism. In Burnley, there are far too many people who are unable to go on to further and higher education. Anything that the Government can do to encourage people to take that route will be welcome.
§ Mr. WicksThat is absolutely right. Although the needs and abilities of youngsters at 16 will vary, we must 420 ensure that all young men and women have first-class training and education. Education maintenance allowances are a vital part of the strategy, but there are other parts to it.
§ Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)Who qualifies for this money?
§ Mr. WicksIt is designed to help those from low-income backgrounds to gain access to education and training after the age of 16. We are piloting the scheme. The early results in terms of increasing participation and diligence in studies are most encouraging. It is a useful pilot and we are encouraged.