Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are providing the Council of the Isles of Scilly with additional funding in the financial year 2024–25 for the purposes of the travel and accommodation of students to the mainland for post-16 education and, if so, how much.

The government recognises the challenges faced by Isles of Scilly students and their families in the transition to post-16 education and has contributed over £300,000 (£6,365 per student) in the 2024/5 academic year to support the Council of the Isles of Scilly, as it seeks to help families meet the cost of travel and accommodation on the mainland.

The department keeps all its student financial support policies under review, including through the ongoing Spending Review process. This will consider funding arrangements for all post-16 students in England from 2025 to 2026.