§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people have stayed at school after the age of 16 years in each of the 12 pilot areas for education maintenance allowance since the scheme was introduced; and what the figures were for the comparable period in 1998. [113120]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 6 March 2000]: Comparative data at this level of detail are not yet available for the period of the pilots. However, early 791W indications are promising, with a number of schools and colleges in EMA areas reporting higher post-16 intakes this year.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost of extending the Education Maintenance Allowance to the whole of England(a) if everyone eligible applied and (b) if take-up was the same as in the pilot areas. [111715]
§ Mr. WicksExtending the Educational Maintenance Allowance to the whole of England would cost between £670 million and £940 million for an academic year if everybody eligible applied, depending on which model is chosen. However, we would not expect to achieve 100 per cent. take-up, as some young people would continue to choose alternatives to education such as a modern apprenticeship or a job with training.
If take-up is the same as in the pilot areas so far, the cost would be between £440 million and £560 million for an academic year, depending on which model is chosen.