To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of people who participated in the September Guarantee in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.

holding answer 9 May 2011

The Under-Secretary of State for Schools, my noble Friend Lord Hill of Oareford, wrote to all local authorities on 17 February to make clear that the process of offering 16 and 17-year-olds a suitable place in education or training by the end of September, which has been known as the 'September Guarantee', will continue. This will help to ensure that more young people have the opportunity to continue their education and training as we move towards full participation of 16 and 17-year-olds by 2015. A copy of this letter is available on the Department's website at:

www.education.gov.uk/offersofeducationandtraining

Data from local authorities shows that in 2009, 95.9% of 16-year-olds and 89.5% of 17-year-olds received an offer of a place in education or training. In 2010, 96.6% of 16-year-olds and 91.3% of 17-year-olds received an offer of a place.