§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether premiums will be available on education maintenance allowances to help single parents to access child care. [91840]
§ Margaret HodgeThe national Education Maintenance Allowance will be designed to cover the day-to-day expenses associated with participating in further education, such as the cost of books and equipment, and to help towards the cost of transport to and from a learning centre. Additional funding, via the Learner Support Fund, will be available for students facing particular needs or costs that threaten their access to, or completion of, further education courses. This will include help with the costs of child care.
Under the Learner Support Fund, up to £4,000 per annum is available according to the costs of the child care and the young parent's financial circumstances. The maximum amount available will increase to £5,000 per annum from September 2003 to provide for the higher costs prevailing in some areas.