(1)The relevant local authority may give assistance to any person who qualifies for advice and assistance by virtue of section 24(1A) or section 24(2)(a) by contributing to expenses incurred by him in living near the place where he is, or will be, employed or seeking employment.
(2)The relevant local authority may give assistance to a person to whom subsection (3) applies by—
(a)contributing to expenses incurred by the person in question in living near the place where he is, or will be, receiving education or training; or
(b)making a grant to enable him to meet expenses connected with his education or training.
(3)This subsection applies to any person who—
(a)is under twenty-five ; and
(b)qualifies for advice and assistance by virtue of section 24(1A) or section 24(2)(a), or would have done so if he were under twenty-one.
(4)Where a local authority are assisting a person under subsection (2) they may disregard any interruption in his attendance on the course if he resumes it as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(5)Where the local authority are satisfied that a person to whom subsection (3) applies who is in full-time further or higher education needs accommodation during a vacation because his term-time accommodation is not available to him then, they shall give him assistance by—
(a)providing him with suitable accommodation during the vacation; or
(b)paying him enough to enable him to secure such accommodation himself.
(6)
The Secretary of State
may prescribe the meaning of “full-time”, “further education”, “higher education” and “vacation” for the purposes of subsection (5).
Cases considering section 24B 20
[2013] EWCA Civ 960 · 31 July 2013Interprets
Interpreted as covering assistance by contributions to living expenses or by a grant for expenses connected with education or training. In conjunction with section 23C(4)(b), the grant duty includes tuition fees. (see paras [13]-[14], [24])
Interpreted to include university tuition fees within expenses connected with education or training, rather than merely books, stationery and other ancillary costs. The refusal based on the narrower construction was quashed. (see paras [13]-[14], [24])
Used to confirm that the statutory assistance would have no practical benefit for former relevant children if it excluded tuition fees, supporting inclusion of the major expense of education. (see para [13])
[2023] EWHC 464 (Admin) · 28 February 2023
The court applied the provision permitting assistance with living near education and grants for education expenses. It supported the declaration requiring accommodation and subsistence support for continuing education. (see paras [21], [62], [97])
The court referred to the age limit in explaining that education-related assistance may continue until the twenty-fifth birthday where the statutory conditions are met. (see para [52])
[2013] EWHC 355 (Admin) · 15 February 2013Interprets
The provision is read with section 23C(4) to identify the kinds of assistance available to former relevant children. In particular, section 24B(2) includes a grant connected with education, which encompasses tuition fees. (see paras [5], [7], [11]-[14])
The provision identifies assistance comprising a contribution towards expenses of living near employment or intended employment. It forms part of the statutory scheme but was not determinative of the tuition-fee issue. (see paras [5], [7])
The provision is interpreted as covering a contribution to expenses incurred in living near education or training and a grant enabling educational expenses to be met. Tuition fees are expenses connected with education in ordinary language. (see paras [7], [11]-[14])
- O, R (on the application of) v Barking and Dagenham Lbc[2010] EWHC 634 (Admin) · 3 March 2010
- R (On The Application of M) (Fc) V London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Appellate Committee[2008] UKHL 14 · 27 February 2008
- Surrey County Council v BC[2025] EWCA Civ 719 · 11 June 2025
- RO, R (on the application of) v East Riding of Yorkshire Council & Anor[2011] EWCA Civ 196 · 2 March 2011
- SO, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham[2010] EWCA Civ 1101 · 12 October 2010
- M v London Borough of Islington & Anor[2004] EWCA Civ 235 · 2 April 2004
- R (W) v Lambeth London Borough Council[2002] EWCA Civ 613 · 3 May 2002
- CYK, R (on the application of) v Kent County Council[2026] EWHC 779 (Admin) · 31 March 2026
- AAM, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Bromley[2025] EWHC 1565 (Admin) · 23 June 2025
- AM, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor[2023] EWHC 3034 (Admin) · 1 December 2023
- HP, R (on the application of) v The Mayor and Burgesses of the Royal Borough of Greenwich[2023] EWHC 744 (Admin) · 31 March 2023
- Kebede & Anor v Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills[2013] EWHC 2396 (Admin) · 31 July 2013
- Birara, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Hounslow[2010] EWHC 2113 (Admin) · 16 July 2010
- C, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Lambeth[2008] EWHC 1230 (Admin) · 19 May 2008
- H & Ors v London Borough Of Wandsworth & Ors[2007] EWHC 1082 (Admin) · 23 April 2007
- E v London Borough of X[2005] EWHC 2811 (Fam) · 6 December 2005
- W, R (on the application of) v Essex County Council[2003] EWHC 3175 (Admin) · 19 December 2003
What each judgment says about section 24B is in the case-law panel in the full Act.