Mr. Tom Prizeman:

The number of grants paid to date is 3,101. We are doing a weekly payment run and the process is that when a student is awarded, the college must be informed and confirm that the student has started. A weekly file goes out to each college. Currently, there is approximately 250, and they confirm that the student is registered in the college. A person cannot get paid until that is done. Also, the student must enter his or her bank details on-line. For data protection reasons we do not ask for the bank details from the student up-front until we know the person will be awarded. When students are awarded the grant they enter their bank details on-line, the college confirms that they are registered, and the payment is made. Currently, we are doing a weekly payment for that.