HC Deb 28 June 1985 vol 81 cc499-500W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost of providing education maintenance allowances for all pupils remaining in schools or colleges for one year after the statutory school leaving age, at the rate of £27 per week, for one week, 38 weeks, 40 weeks, or 52 weeks and similarly for those remaining for two years and for three years, after deducting child benefit and existing education maintenance allowances.

Sir Keith Joseph

The estimated cost of providing educational maintenance allowances for all pupils aged 16–18 remaining in schools and non-advanced further education beyond their 16th birthday is as follows:

£ million
16 17 18 All
Cost for:
1 week 6 4 1 12
38 weeks 243 160 48 451
40 weeks 256 168 50 474
52 weeks 333 218 65 617

The total sum of £617 million for 52 weeks replaces the answer given to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish on 17 June at c. 6.

Notes:

1. Figures for pupils and students are as at January 1984.

2. Expenditure figures have been rounded; consequently the figures for each age group do not precisely match the totals in the right hand column.