§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the link between applications to universities and social background of students. [147018]
§ Alan JohnsonThe social class gap among those entering higher education is unacceptably wide. The most recent UCAS figures show that in 2001 71 per cent. of applicants came from the top three social classes and only 29 per cent. from the bottom three.
The main problem is prior attainment. 19 per cent. of 18-year-olds from the three lower social classes achieve two or more A Levels, compared to 50 per cent. from the three higher social classes.
The Government have put in place a range of policies to raise attainment and aspirations. These were summarised in "Widening participation in higher education", published in April 2003. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.