To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008, Official Report, columns 212-14W, on education maintenance allowance, what the reasons were for the increase in the administration costs of the education maintenance allowance between 2003-04 and 2004-05. (180458)

The education maintenance allowance (EMA) was piloted in England from 1999, and launched nationally from September 2004. The administration costs increased as the scheme became available across the country from that date.