Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of disparities in access to university preparation opportunities, including university taster days, residentials and personal statement support workshops, between London and (A) Leicester, (B) Leicestershire and (C) the East Midlands; and what targeted measures she is implementing to improve access to such opportunities for students outside of London.

Higher education (HE) should be available to all with the aptitude and desire to access it regardless of their background or where they live in the country. However, progression to HE is currently noticeably higher in London relative to other regions in England, including the East Midlands. We are determined to work with the sector to overcome barriers to access for those from different backgrounds.

Neutral outreach and attainment raising activities are being co-ordinated in different areas of the country, including the East Midlands, through Uni Connect partnerships, which are overseen by The Office for Students (OfS).

There is also a requirement for individual HE providers who wish to charge higher fees to have a plan approved by the OfS for addressing risks to equality opportunity in their institution. OfS guidance sets out that activities may include pre-entry outreach.

The Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out our ambitions for going further. As part of this, we asked Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of University of Derby to bring together sector experts, charities and students through a Task and Finish Group to look at regional disparities in access and barriers across the journey into HE. We are actively supporting the group in its work and look forward to it reporting with findings early next year.