§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance his Department offers to students from low income backgrounds who are embarking on further or higher education before their 19th birthday; and if he will extend education maintenance allowances to such students. [174990]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisYoung people from lower income households who are aged 16 at the start of the 2004/05 academic year can apply to receive the education maintenance allowance. We are phasing in the scheme 1535W nationally from September 2004 to successive 16 year-old year groups. By 2006 all young people aged 16 to 19 who meet the eligibility requirements will be able to receive EMA. In addition, the Learner Support Fund provides a safety net to students who experience financial hardship. For those students in higher education from lower income backgrounds the £1,000 higher education grant is available from September 2004. This will ensure a continuous system of non-repayable support for tuition for those most in need.