To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in Stockton, South claimed education maintenance allowance in each year since it was introduced, broken down by ward of residence. (147290)

I have been asked to reply.

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the DCSF and hold the information about take-up and payments under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, has written to my hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.

Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 July 2007:

I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Question that asked: “How many students in Stockton South claimed education maintenance allowance in each year since it was introduced; broken down by ward of residence.”

Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available at Local Authority Level, but not at Ward level EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.

EMA take-up for Stockton-on-Tees Local Authority area during each academic year since inception is as follows:

EMA Take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06 and to date in 2006/07 are now also available on the LSC website, at the following address:

http://www Isc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take _up.htm

I hope you find this information useful.