Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the student finance system on the decisions of students from low income backgrounds on whether to undertake higher education.

The student finance system provides support for fees and living costs to assist students from all backgrounds to take part in higher education.

In 2019, record rates of disadvantaged 18-year-olds were accepted onto full time university courses. 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds were 62% more likely to go to university in 2019 than in 2009.

The independent panel’s report on the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding was published in May 2019. The government is considering the recommendations made in the report, including those relating to the student finance system. The government will conclude the review alongside the next spending review.