AQW 43308/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 26/03/2026
Answered On Date: 08/04/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether any assessment has been carried out of the impact of the Education Maintenance Allowance on (i) educational attainment at Key Stage 5; and (ii) progression from Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5.
Answer:
The policy in respect of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a joint policy between my Department and the Department for the Economy and is administered on behalf of both Departments by the Student Loans Company (SLC). EMA is intended to support participation in postcompulsory education by young people from lowincome backgrounds. While many recipients will be studying at Key Stage 5, eligibility for EMA is determined by age, household income and fulltime enrolment on an eligible academic or vocational course up to and including Level 3, rather than by Key Stage. No assessment has been undertaken to determine the impact of EMA on educational attainment at Key Stage 5, or on progression from Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5. However, work is progressing on plans to require young people to remain in education or training until age 18 and the role and impact of the EMA scheme will be revisited in the context of the crossdepartmental thematic work supporting the 14–19 strategy.
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