Balls 'frustrated' by grant delays

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Up to 150,000 students are still waiting to hear if their EMA application has been approved after the company hired to deliver the grants hit problems with their online system and telephone lines.

So far, a small proportion of teenagers are believed to have had confirmation that they will receive the grant, worth up to £30 a week.

Speaking at a sixth form college in East London Mr Balls said: "It's really frustrating that we're in this position with the EMA because actually EMAs are really, really important.

"They've made a huge difference in the last 10 years in helping young people to stay on at college to bridge for some young people the financial gap that would otherwise keep them out of college.

"I'm told by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) that the contract is behind but they've got more staff in and their gearing up to get this sorted out.

"The important thing is no young person will not get the money.

"I've said to the Learning & Skills Council that they must work with colleges to ensure that no young person will not be able to start college because they're waiting for their payment.

"This is something the Learning & Skills Council is sorting out with the contractor but obviously as ministers, DIUS and myself want to make sure that this is sorted out as soon as possible."

The EMA scheme for students aged 16 to 18 from low income backgrounds was set up by the Government to encourage more teenagers to stay in education after the age of 16.