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Learning grant processing goes on Learning grant processing goes on
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The Educational Maintenance Allowance is worth up to £30 a week
Hundreds of thousands of England's teenagers are still awaiting payments of their educational maintenance allowances, the government says.Hundreds of thousands of England's teenagers are still awaiting payments of their educational maintenance allowances, the government says.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said there was a backlog of 111,000 applications for the EMAs, intended to encourage poorer youngsters to stay in education.Schools Minister Jim Knight said there was a backlog of 111,000 applications for the EMAs, intended to encourage poorer youngsters to stay in education.
In total 556,829 applications had been processed and 283,880 youngsters had been told they could access payments of up to £30 a week. In total 556,829 applications had been processed and 283,880 youngsters told they could access up to £30 a week.
Delays have arisen because of problems at private contractor Liberata, which has recruited extra staff to cope. Delays stemmed from contractor Liberata which has now taken on extra staff.
The new figures are in a letter Mr Knight has written to the chairman of the House of Commons children, schools and families committee, Barry Sheerman.The new figures are in a letter Mr Knight has written to the chairman of the House of Commons children, schools and families committee, Barry Sheerman.
They chime with estimates from the Association of Colleges, whose members are having to deal with the chaos.They chime with estimates from the Association of Colleges, whose members are having to deal with the chaos.
Of the applications that have been processed, 272,949 (49%) have been rejected initially for various reasons such as having used the wrong form, not signed the form or supplied insufficient information.Of the applications that have been processed, 272,949 (49%) have been rejected initially for various reasons such as having used the wrong form, not signed the form or supplied insufficient information.
Processing 'priority'Processing 'priority'
Officials at the Department for Children, Schools and Families say most applicants eventually receive something.Officials at the Department for Children, Schools and Families say most applicants eventually receive something.
In his letter, Mr Knight says that the Learning and Skills Council, which employed Liberata, has reassured ministers "that this is currently their absolute priority".In his letter, Mr Knight says that the Learning and Skills Council, which employed Liberata, has reassured ministers "that this is currently their absolute priority".
Applications are being processed at the rate of about 15,000 a day.Applications are being processed at the rate of about 15,000 a day.
The cash - either £10, £20 or £30 a week - is available to youngsters from households with a total income of less than £30,810 in England - the ceilings are more generous elsewhere in the UK.The cash - either £10, £20 or £30 a week - is available to youngsters from households with a total income of less than £30,810 in England - the ceilings are more generous elsewhere in the UK.
Although the scheme is UK-wide, only England is affected by the problems arising from its administration being contracted out to Liberata. Although the scheme is UK-wide, only England is affected by the problems arising from its administration being contracted out to private firm Liberata.
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove laid the blame at the government's door, saying the problems followed the late delivery of results for this year's national curriculum tests.Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove laid the blame at the government's door, saying the problems followed the late delivery of results for this year's national curriculum tests.