Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government (a) has taken and (b) plans to take in response to the finding of the Sutton Trust in its research brief entitled Private Pay Progression, published on 6 August 2015, that despite performing as well, if not better, at university, graduates from less privileged backgrounds are less likely to enter the professions.

The Government notes the report by the Sutton Trust and its conclusions in respect of graduates. Widening access to higher education is a high priority and the latest UCAS data shows that a record proportion of students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds will enter higher education this year. As well as increasing access to higher education, we will consult in the autumn on proposals for a Teaching Excellence Framework which will strengthen incentives for universities and colleges to focus on student retention and progression into work or further study. Through the Social Mobility Business Compact, Government is also working with around 190 employers to open up opportunities to candidates from all backgrounds.These employers have committed to adapt their outreach activities, their work experience programmes, and their recruitment processes to ensure that candidates from less privileged backgrounds are not excluded.