To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people in Darlington received an educational maintenance allowance in each year since the introduction of the allowance. (118531)

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate education maintenance allowances for the DfES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council’s Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 8 February 2007:

I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked; “How many young people in Darlington have received an educational maintenance allowance in each year since the introduction of the allowance.”

The following table shows education maintenance allowance (EMA) take-up for Darlington local authority area during each academic year since the introduction of the allowance. EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.

I hope you find this information useful.