To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on education maintenance allowance bonuses in 2008-09; and how much he expects his Department to spend in each of the next three years. (293406)

In 2008-09 the total spent on all types of EMA bonus in England was £80,505,540.

The Learning and Skills Council’s Annual Statement of Priorities, to be published later in the autumn, will set out total planned future expenditure for EMA and other learner support programmes.