To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of people who are no longer in education or training as a result of the delay in making education maintenance allowance payments. (240615)

We have no evidence that delay in making Education Maintenance Allowance payments has resulted in a drop in the overall numbers of people participating in education or training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1836W, on the education maintenance allowance, how many students had (a) received a notice of entitlement for the education maintenance allowance, (b) successfully enrolled and (c) received at least one payment by (i) November 2006 and (ii) November 2007. (241515)

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA transferred to Capita from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC’s chief executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what sanctions he plans to impose on Liberata for failing to make education maintenance allowance payments on time; and if he will make a statement; (241619)

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA transferred to Capita from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC’s chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Yeovil with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the interim learning providers' portal used in the administration of the Education Maintenance Allowance; and if he will make a statement. (241795)

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA transferred to Capita from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.