§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the availability of discretionary awards from local education authorities in the United Kingdom and the steps he is taking to encourage young people on low incomes to continue their studies to further education. [5054]
§ Dr. HowellsDiscretionary Awards are a matter for local education authorities. Each local authority is free, in the light of its own priorities, to determine its own budget and how the money is spent. We are committed to reviewing educational finance and maintenance for those older than 16 to ensure higher staying-on rates at school and college and that resources are used to support those most in need.