HOLMES CHALLENGES MINISTER OVER CHESTERFIELD'S POST 16 STUDENTS HIT BY FAILURE OF EMA COMPANY

Paul Holmes Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield and a Member of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee today challenged Schools Minister Jim Knight over the disaster of Educational Maintenance Allowance.

During this morning's meeting of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee, Paul told the Minister

"I have heard of New Year 12 students from poorer backgrounds in Chesterfield who have already dropped out of post 16 education because the EMA money has not been available throughout September and October.

Paul went on to ask the Minister:

"What guidance has the Government or the Learning and Skills Council given to schools and colleges to use their funds to temporarily support these students until Liberata, (the company who is in charge of the payments) sorts out the mess that they have caused."

Paul challenged the Minister on his response when Jim Knight he claimed that hardship funds could be used to support the students. Replying to Jim Knight, Paul said

"Colleges could use their hardship funds for this purpose; Schools do not have such funds."