Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant

Mr. Laws
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much has been spent on the Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant in each year since 2004-05; how much is allocated for each of the next three years; what the purpose of the grant is; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight
The Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG) is a ring-fenced grant allocated to all local authorities on a needs-based formula. The grant has two purposes:

(i) it allows LA strategic managers and schools to bring about whole-school change in narrowing achievement gaps for Black and minority ethnic pupils which in turn ensures equality of outcomes; and

(ii) it covers some of the costs of additional support to meet the specific needs of bilingual learners and underachieving pupils.

The following has been spent on EMAG since 2004:

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|       |£ million|
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|2004-05|162      |
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|2005-06|170      |
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|2006-07|174      |
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|2007-08|179      |
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The following has been allocated for each of the next three years:

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|       |£ million|
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|2008-09|188      |
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|2009-10|198      |
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|2010-11|206      |
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