EMA (update)

[Neil M]

Should have handed it to the DWP to manage. DCSF are muttering about getting hold of child benefit but there is no chance of HMRC giving it up, thank heavens.

[tSPOTTER]

Capita ran it since '04, and the pilots before that, without any problems. It's the LSCs fault for penny pinching. It wasn't broken, and didnt need fixing.

Tiny, you left yourself far too many clues as to who you are. You made it too easy to find out your real name etc...

Here's lookin at you kid,
t(iny)SPOTTER

[Fisher_gate]

Capita ran it since '04, and the pilots before that, without any problems. ...

LEAs ran the pilots.  Capita ran the national scheme only, from 2004.

[Neil M]

Indeed. It is the fault of the LSCs for penny pinching. However, I believe- and this isn't just because I work for the department because it is echoed by a number of people outside- that it would be far better handled by the DWP as appropriate systems are already in place. No doubt this view has been coloured by past experience of Capita.

[Fisher_gate]

Indeed. It is the fault of the LSCs for penny pinching. However, I believe- and this isn't just because I work for the department because it is echoed by a number of people outside- that it would be far better handled by the DWP as appropriate systems are already in place. No doubt this view has been coloured by past experience of Capita.

I don't see what the problem is with using the same mechanism as for HE - the LEAs and the Student Loans Company for HE grants, loans including the Disabled Student Allowance.  Many of those who get EMAs will transfer to the LEAs/SLC for support anyway when they move into HE/adulthood, so why not use the existing tried and tested mechanism?

[Neil M]

You've got a point. I'm seeing it more from the perspective of paying child benefit but as the amount of EMA can be zero for non attendance, it would be hard to keep the amount consistent. Its also payable to the student/pupil in question rather than a parent.

I just want more power for my department!

[Tiny]

Capita ran it since '04, and the pilots before that, without any problems. It's the LSCs fault for penny pinching. It wasn't broken, and didnt need fixing.

Tiny, you left yourself far too many clues as to who you are. You made it too easy to find out your real name etc...

Here's lookin at you kid,
t(iny)SPOTTER

I only hope that this situation gets fixed. Having contacted my MP before and been fobbed off on how agencys can get away with not paying overtime rate evn though you can do upto 70hours per week. I thought this the best meduim as it would get some sort of attention.


I am still to be told by anyone what is the actual cost of this folly ? and wouldn't that money be best spent directly on the education system itself rather than trying to fob off kids with £30 to stop at school a few years longer.

[tonygreaves]

For interest here is a Press Release issued by Pendle Borough Council last week. Number One Market Street is a new office building in the middle of Nelson built last year by a local builder and Liberata in cahoots (sorry "partnership") with Pendle Council. It appears that these people are working directly for Liberata.

Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:32:43 +0100

For Immediate Release

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Wednesday 17 September 11.15 Number One Market Street, Nelson
(opposite Nelson Town Hall)

100 new jobs boost for Pendle

There's great news for Pendle with the announcement of up to 100 new jobs at Number One Market Street in Nelson.

The workers will be doing two shifts from 7 in the morning until 10.30 at
night.

They will be administering the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) grant applications from young people in further education across the UK.

Stephen Barnes, Chief Executive of Pendle Council, said:

"This is a fantastic example of Pendle Council and Liberata working together
to bring more jobs to Pendle.

 "The partnership is all about jobs and it's great to see that it's
working," he added.

 Coun Allan Buck, who is in charge of economic development, said:

 "It's all part of getting local people back into work and bringing more
people into Nelson's shops, cafes and restaurants to boost trade.

 "This is another big step forward in improving our local economy.

 "It puts Nelson on course for a great future," he added.

The new jobs have been created thanks to a contract between Liberata and the
Learning Skills Council.

Rod Haig, Liberata Director said:

"We are training our new staff now and already they are doing well learning
their new skills.

"We've been able to take on a number of people who have been unemployed for
a while and they're glad to be back in work.

 "Our aim is to make as many of the jobs permanent as we can.

 "We'll be identifying people from the group to become team leaders and
supervisors, so already there's some career opportunities" he added.

 Last week 25 people aged between 17 and 56 started their training, and by Wednesday this week there'll be 55.

 They are part of the potential 100 employees arriving over the coming weeks to tackle the mammoth workload.

 One of the new workers, Melanie, aged 17 said:

"I went to college and found it wasn't for me.  Then I saw the advert and
thought I would apply.

"I've had lots of training so far and it's now a case of putting what I've
learnt into practice."

 Jessica, 32, has previous office experience and was job hunting for months, before she got the job at Number One.

"I'd worked in administration before so I thought this job would be ideal."

 New colleague Paul, 56, said:

 "I came from a production background but I wanted to get into clerical
work.  This job was for me!"

ends

16/09/2008

For further information please contact: Sarah Lee, Communications Manager,
Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Pendle Council, Town Hall, Market Street,
Nelson, BB9 7LG

Tel: 01282 661988
Fax: 01282 661630
Email: sarah.lee@pendle.gov.uk

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Wednesday 17 September 11.15 Number One Market Street, Nelson
(opposite Nelson Town Hall)

Notes to Editors

Liberata UK Limited provides a range of services for Pendle Council
including helping people with their housing benefits and collecting council
taxes.

The Learning Skills Council gives students in further education the chance
to apply for the EMA grant.  Students use the grant to help with travel
costs and course equipment.

The partnership between Liberata and the Learning Skills Council is
responsible for bringing a bulk of EMA administration from Darlington to
Pendle.

[Neil M]

I don't see what the problem is with using the same mechanism as for HE - the LEAs and the Student Loans Company for HE grants, loans including the Disabled Student Allowance.  Many of those who get EMAs will transfer to the LEAs/SLC for support anyway when they move into HE/adulthood, so why not use the existing tried and tested mechanism?

I've been thinking about this. I'd like to suggest that if EMA and child benefit were linked and EMA wasn't paid for a period of, say, six weeks then the departmental interface would check to see if the pupil/student in question was still in education and eligible for child benefit, cutting down on the number of overpayments/fraud cases, refunds of child maintenance and so on. I'm not sure who to suggest it too though.

[Zoe]

£30 a week, perhaps this is what the Lib Dem leader was confusing with the state pension?

[tonygreaves]