Written question asked by Robert Marshall-Andrews (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 June 2006. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Monday, 12 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will take steps to allow young people in full-time education to receive the education maintenance allowance while carrying out voluntary work.

Answer: [holding answer 8 June 2006]: Young people in full-time education receive EMA when they have attended all the sessions for which they are required, and will not receive a weekly payment if they fail to attend. EMA is based on a ““something for something”” approach. Therefore, the general principle is that if the activity, for example volunteering, forms part of the young person's learning agreement EMA may be paid, if not, EMA will not be paid.

Secondary information