RNS Number:7576P
Capita Group PLC
15 September 2003

15 September 2003

                        CAPITA WINS CONTRACT TO DELIVER
                        EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

The Capita Group Plc ("Capita") has been selected to manage the administration
of the new Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) by the Department for Education
and Skills (DfES).

The contract, signed today and valued at #48.4m over five years with an option
to extend for a further one or two years, builds upon the Government's
commitment to help young people have the opportunity to fulfil their educational
potential.

Announced in July 2002, EMA is an allowance payable to students between the ages
of 16-19 to encourage attendance at school. As a result, students will get up to
#30 a week, depending on parental income, with additional bonuses, worth up to
#300 per year, for attendance and achievement. The scheme has been extensively
piloted since 1999 and independent research has shown EMA has a powerful effect
on participation rates and in reducing drop out.

"It is vital that young people are able to gain as much as possible from their
educational opportunities," commented Rod Aldridge, Executive Chairman of the
Capita Group Plc. "This scheme will encourage young people to continue learning
and to attend classes regularly by providing and rewarding them with financial
support. We are proud to have been chosen to play a part in this innovative
scheme and to be extending the role we play in supporting the DfES."

Capita will be responsible for managing the service, which involves accepting
and processing applications for the allowance from potential students. The
agreement will ensure the delivery of initial services, including a helpline, in
November 2003, with application/assessment services on stream by May 2004. The
full service provision, inclusive of payment services, will then go live in
September 2004.

Ends

For further information please contact:

The Capita Press Office             0870 2400 488

The Capita Group Plc, is the UK's leading provider of integrated professional
support service solutions. The Group's service capabilities encompass customer
services, financial services, human resource services, software services,
systems and strategic support and property services delivered to both public
sector and private organisations. With over 17,000 employees at more than 200
offices across the UK, Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L)
with forecasted revenues for 2003 of #1075 million.

In April 2003 Capita was named Company of the Year in the Royal Bank of Scotland
Sunday Times Business Awards. Capita has won Management Today's Most Admired
Support Services Company Award in 2001 and 2002.

Further information on The Capita Group can be found at: www.capita.co.uk




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