Young People from Deprived Backgrounds Access to Higher Education 2022-03-14
2022-03-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about steps to support disadvantaged youth in higher education. He references the Augar review where access was said to depend on attainment and ability rather than background.
What steps are being taken to help young people from deprived backgrounds access higher education? In his statement last month, he promised that access should be dependent on attainment and not inhibited by a student's background. Will the Minister explain how this will ensure disadvantaged students have more opportunities?
We are focusing on real social mobility by ensuring students complete courses that lead to graduate jobs. A £75 million state scholarship is committed for high-achieving disadvantaged students, and under our Government, disadvantaged 18-year-olds in England are now 82% more likely to go to university than in 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the decline in access to higher education for students from deprived backgrounds under the Scottish Government. He references a previous statement by the Secretary of State on Augar review.
In the Secretary of State's statement, he said access to higher education must be based on attainment and ability rather than background. Will the Minister clarify how this commitment will ensure disadvantaged students have more opportunities?
Under our Government, disadvantaged 18-year-olds in England are now 82% more likely to go to university than in 2010. Universities will play a greater role in improving access for those from deprived backgrounds by raising school standards and offering flexible courses.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the Government's policies towards disadvantaged students in higher education. He mentions issues with the national tutoring programme and Ofqual qualifications.
National tutoring programmes are failing to reach disadvantaged children, qualification changes hinder progress to HE, university courses with high numbers of deprived students face disparagement, apprenticeship numbers have fallen. Does the Minister realise these policies act as a barrier to working-class aspiration?
This Government is delivering on our manifesto and enhancing quality, with aspiration at the heart of everything we do. The time when the Opposition asks questions like this is desperate, as it shows they lack credibility on this subject.
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Assessment & feedback
This Government Is Delivering On Our Manifesto And Enhancing Quality
The Time When The Opposition Asks Questions Like This Is Desperate
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about the progress of a critical bill concerning free speech in universities.
When does my right hon. Friend expect the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to return to Parliament?
The Bill will be back in due course, as we are committed to honouring our manifesto pledge to strengthen free speech in universities because of its importance.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or date was provided.
In Due Course
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the Government's own analysis showing negative impacts on female graduates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds due to recent changes in student finance.
According to the Government's equality analysis, reforms to student finance will negatively affect female graduates and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Can the Minister explain why these policies hinder social mobility?
Fairness is central to our announcement that no student will pay back more in real terms than they borrowed. The changes are about rebalancing for the taxpayer, as every pound not paid back by a student is paid back by taxpayers.
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Assessment & feedback
The impact on social mobility and equality was not directly addressed.
About Rebalancing For The Taxpayer
Response accuracy