Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to widen access to higher education.

In April this Government published a new national strategy for access and student success. It will help to ensure that all those with the potential to benefit from higher education have equal opportunity to participate and succeed. Data from UCAS shows the number of applicants who had been accepted for entry to higher education this year was up by 4%, the highest ever at that point. The application and entry rate for disadvantaged students are at record levels.