Blunkett finds the extra college cash

An extra Pounds 18 million has been found for 16-19 college provision, education secretary David Blunkett has confirmed.

The money will be allocated to colleges through the standards fund, in proportion to the number of 16 to 19-year-olds in the college.

Mr Blunkett also announced the expansion of the Education Maintenance Allowance - a grant of up to Pounds 30 a week - to another 75,000 16-year-olds, following the Pounds 50 million in last month's budget. EMAs will be available to 100,000 students, 30 per cent of 16-year-olds.