MORE than 4,000 young people in Kirklees are being paid to return to learning.

The Education Maintenance Allowance is being received by 4,203 students in this area and 2,045 in Calderdale, says the Learning and Skills Council.

The total for West Yorkshire is 22,117.

The council is urging more young people to apply for the payment, which is up to £30 a week.

It is paid directly to young people who continue to stay in learning after they are 16 on a wide range of vocational and academic courses.

Since September last year over 50,000 young people in Yorkshire have benefited from the allowance.

All 16 to 18-year-olds across England may be eligible to receive the allowance if they stay in learning after 16 if they come from a household which has an income in 2005/06 of up to £30,810.

The LSC is urging young people in Yorkshire to contact their local Connexions centre or college to find out about short courses and whether they are eligible to receive the cash.

Young people can apply direct for the money by logging on to www.direct.gov.uk/ema, by calling 0808 10 16219 or by picking up an application form from their school, college, learning provider, or their local Connexions centre.

Trevor Fellowes, the LSC's director of learner support, said: "Money is one of the main reasons why young people drop out of education and training.

"So we are delighted that over 450,000 young people across England are benefiting from EMA and have been given the chance to stay on in learning with this financial support.

"We are extremely pleased to see the positive impact EMA has had, but we would also like to call on more young people to return to learning and better their prospects in the long run."

Skills minister Phil Hope said: "With so many young people now benefiting from their weekly payments, and a record number staying on in learning, I urge all young people who may feel tempted to drop out into low-paid work to get in touch with their local college or Connexions adviser.

"If young people attend and make progress they may not only receive EMA but gain valuable qualifications to boost their career prospects and earnings."

The cash is available to young people at college, school sixth form centres and some work-based learning providers for a variety of retake, academic and vocational courses, including LSC-funded Entry to Employment and programme-led apprenticeships.