HC Deb 07 July 1976 vol 914 cc586-7W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance his Department has given local education authorities on publicising educational maintenance allowances in the light of the Third Report of the Expenditure Committee, Session 1974.

Miss Margaret Jackson

None. Local education authorities are free to use their own discretion in making known the availability of these allowances; but my Department collaborates with the Department of Health and Social Security on the compilation of pamphlets drawing the attention of members of the public to the availability of various welfare benefits, including educational maintenance allowances.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to carry out a new census into the levels and numbers of educational maintenance allowances paid by local education authorities.

Miss Margaret Jackson

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present for such a census.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will collect information on education and maintenance allowances as part of the annual collection of educational statistics.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The annual Statistics of Education already show total expenditure on these allowances; the collection of more detailed information cannot be undertaken at present in view of the constraints on manpower and expenditure.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in the light of the Third Report of the Expenditure Committee, Session 1974, on educational maintenance allowances, what advice he has given to local educational authorities on the level and number of awards they should be making;

(2) whether educational maintenance allowances have kept pace with inflation since the 1974 census; and if he will take steps to ensure that educational maintenance allowances are raised in line with inflation.

Miss Margaret Jackson

It is for each individual local education authority to decide on the level and number of these awards. The Department is not in a position to say which authorities have made adjustments, nor the extent of such adjustments, since the time of the 1974 Survey; but, between spring term 1970 and autumn term 1974, the average annual award rose from £72 to £125, an increase of 74 per cent. compared with some 54 per cent. rise in the cost of living over the same period.