Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 January 2010. It was answered by Iain Wright (Labour) on Thursday, 4 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Students: Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people under 20 years old in further education in (a) England, (b) the North East and (c) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency received assistance in meeting childcare costs in each year since 1997.

Answer: There is a range of support available to provide assistance with child care costs depending on the circumstances of the parent. Since 2004/05 support for child care costs for learners under 19 at the beginning of their programme of learning has been available through the Care to Learn child care support scheme. Care to Learn was extended to include learners under 20 in April 2006.In the academic year 2008/09 8,010 learners in England benefited from Care to Learn. This figure will include a number of learners aged over 20 who were under 20 at the beginning of their course.The DCSF does not have a breakdown of Care to Learn recipients by constituency. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has operational responsibility for Care to Learn, which includes the collection of management information. Geoff Russell, the LSC's Acting Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend for Middlesbrough South, and East Cleveland with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 505 c472-3W; 311348
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2010-0422
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Finance Students
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk