§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will propose changes to the education maintenance allowance regulations to allow pupils who by the time they are 15 years old have successfully completed their GCSEs to qualify for education maintenance allowances while continuing their A level education. [188322]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisI have received a number of representations on this subject. Allowing younger students who have completed their GCSEs to receive EMA is an option we are looking at for future years. In my view there are arguments both for and against such an extension, and I will want to take views from stakeholders in coming to a decision.