§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many educational maintenance allowances have been paid to date and at what total cost, in each of the pilot areas; and if he will make a statement. [103237]
§ Mr. WicksThe information requested is in the table (figures refer to the period up to and including 26 November):
Current EMA recipients Total cost to date (£) Bolton 1,011 109,434.82 Cornwall 1,574 625,480.85 Doncaster 439 107,103.50 Gateshead 925 91,673.00 Greenwich 98 15,383.20 Lambeth 182 25,018.10 Leeds 728 201,285.46 Lewisham 45 6,485.30 Middlesbrough 871 193,144.46 Nottingham 1,087 223,324.50 Oldham 1,186 145,969.33 Southampton 750 159,076.20 Southwark 72 7,716.48 Stoke 912 108,961.08 Walsall 1,006 243,533.58 Total 10,886 2,805,769.48 We are encouraged by the success so far in the overall take-up of EMAs. We have worked alongside our external partners in the 15 pilot areas to ensure the smoothest possible introduction of the pilot scheme. LEAs are still dealing with EMA applications, including a number of cases where additional information is required to complete the assessment. We therefore expect the number of EMA recipients to rise further in the coming months.
An initial evaluation report is due in September 2000. However, early anecdotal evidence suggests that EMAs have helped young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to remain in education when they might otherwise would not have been able to afford to participate. In addition, a number of Institutions have reported improvements in attendance.
554WEMAs have the potential to make a real difference to the life chances of young people and we are pleased that the pilots have made an encouraging start.