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poo rpupils to get activity cashPoor pupils to get activity cash
The money could be used to pay for sporting activities
Disadvantaged youngsters are to be given up to £40 a month to spend on leisure activities of their choice, under a pilot government scheme.
Teenagers on free school meals or in care would get pre-paid debit cards which allow them to pay for activities deemed positive by their local council.
The aim is to give them access to the same kinds of theatre trips and sports activities as middle class pupils.
Children's minister Beverly Hughes said it could boost their life chances.
'Educational test'
She added: "Some young people tell us that they have to overcome difficult obstacles in order to access youth activities, including lack of money, and that this can prevent them from participating as they would like.
"These are much more likely to be young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford to take part and face the prospect of having nothing to do."
She argued that taking part in such activities could boost young people's confidence and consequently their chances of doing well in life.
The range of eligible activities is expected to be extensive, but ministers hope there will be an emphasis on formal activities run in groups like karate clubs or drama groups.
'Positive impact'
But youngsters could also simply pay for trips to the theatre or cinema with the debit card.
However, each activity would have to have "sufficient educational activity" to be able to "improve a young person's well-being".
Local councils will set up deals with local businesses to offer access to the activities and the impact the scheme has had on youngsters' educational achievement will be monitored.
The scheme is being run in nine different local authority areas covering 20,000 young people in Years nine to 12 until March 2009.
The pilot projects are to be run in Tower Hamlets and Camden in London and in Cambridgeshire, Durham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sunderland, Bolton and Lincolnshire.
Lead member for children's services at Tower Hamlets Council Councillor Clair Hawkins said it was important that young people were given a chance to take part in activities that "could have a real positive impact on their lives".
The announcement comes after research suggested that good schools alone cannot help youngsters from deprived backgrounds overcome obstacles in their educational progress.
A report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggested that the confidence some youngsters gained from taking part in extra-curricular activities like music lessons and drama groups is key in helping them succeed at school.
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