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 have (a) received a notice of entitlement for the education maintenance allowance, (b) successfully enrolled and (c) received at least one payment, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) constituency. (244906)

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). 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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether he was kept informed of the number of students who had (a) applied for a notice of entitlement, (b) received a notice of entitlement, (c) enrolled on a course and (d) received a payment during his communications with the Learning and Skills Council about the administration of the education maintenance allowance. (244933)

Since the beginning of September officials have received daily processing statistics, supplied by the contractor via the LSC, which have included each of the areas in question. These data have been relayed to Ministers in the regular updates they have received on the processing of education maintenance allowance applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how regularly he has met or had communication with the Learning and Skills Council to monitor the administration of education maintenance allowance payments. (244934)

In response to the recent EMA delivery issues Ministers and officials have had direct contact with the LSC on a regular basis. This has included both correspondence and meetings. Since August Ministers have also received regular updates from officials, based upon their communication with the LSC. These updates have been received on a daily basis since the beginning of September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent estimate is of the percentage of eligible people claiming education maintenance allowance in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) Tees Valley district and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency. (245024)

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 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 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 how many pupils are receiving hardship payments as a result of a delay in receiving their education maintenance allowance payments; and if he will make a statement. (245575)

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 has transferred to Capita as from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness 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 how many education maintenance allowance payments for 2008 he expects will have been made by 1 January 2009; how many such payments for 2007 had been made by 1 January 2008; and if he will make a statement. (245650)

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 has transferred to Capita as from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.