School Leaving Age

It seems the government is going through with the idea of making school leaving age later. I'm not sure whether this is to make the unemployment figures look better as they won't have to count anyone under 18, or whether education is cheaper than paying income support to those who leave school and can't get a job. I know it sounds cynical but making sure children have good skills when they go into the workplace can't be the reason, in my experience government decisions are always motivated by money.