Education and Local Services

Rebecca Pow Excerpts

Tuesday 27th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Justine Greening]

rose—

[Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) (Con)]

rose—

[Justine Greening]

I should be delighted to give way to my hon. Friend.

[Rebecca Pow]

Am I not right in saying that there has not been a fall in the number of students going to university since fees have had to be paid? Indeed, I have two daughters who have recently completed university. They both paid fees, but on different rates—one the high rate, one the low rate. They both agree that it was right that they should pay fees for the advantage they have gained, because they should earn more money than someone who does not go to university. Is it right that someone who does not go to university should fund people who do and who have the potential benefit of earning more money?

[Justine Greening]

My hon. Friend asks some important questions not just about equality of opportunity but about equality more generally and why we are prioritising technical education. The approach in England has benefited students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who now go to university at a record rate. In 2009, the rate was 13.6%; it was 19.5% in 2016.