To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the education maintenance allowance is available to children aged younger than 16 who have taken their GCSEs early and are in further education; and if he will make a statement. (201077)

Young people who are of compulsory school age when taking up further education are not eligible for education maintenance allowance (EMA) on the grounds of their age. EMA is not based on the academic level a pupil reaches. It is targeted at those who reach the end of their compulsory school phase and who have the option of dropping out of learning.

The purpose of EMA is to remove barriers to learning, and increase participation and retention rates among learners who can legally leave education. Therefore, EMA is not available to learners who by law must remain in education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what forecast he has made of his Department’s expenditure on education maintenance allowance over the next 10 years. (201686)

The forecast expenditure for education maintenance allowance over the comprehensive spending review (CSR) period is £531 million/£544 million/£560 million in financial years 2008-09/2009-10/2010-11. Forecasts of expenditure beyond this period are not available.