Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Young People from Deprived Backgrounds: Access to Higher Education

Monday 14 March 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced a 75 million state scholarship for high-achieving disadvantaged students.
  • Disadvantaged 18-year-olds in England are now 82% more likely to go to university than in 2010.
  • Government plans to return the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to Parliament to strengthen free speech in universities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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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Q3 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Education
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

How: This Government Is Delivering On Our Manifesto And Enhancing Quality, The Time When The Opposition Asks Questions Like This Is Desperate

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Q4 Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire
Education
Context

The MP inquires about the progress of a critical bill concerning free speech in universities.

Question

When does my right hon. Friend expect the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill to return to Parliament?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or date was provided.

How: In Due Course

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Q5 Carol Monaghan SNP
Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact on social mobility and equality was not directly addressed.

How: About Rebalancing For The Taxpayer

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