Off-quota University Places Debate

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Off-quota University Places

Nadhim Zahawi Excerpts
Tuesday 10th May 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Willetts Portrait Mr Willetts
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I have made it absolutely clear that I have ruled that out.

Nadhim Zahawi Portrait Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)
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Access to Russell group universities from the lowest income groups has abysmally flatlined over the past 20 years. Ideas such as allowing companies and charities to create social mobility and greater access should be debated. They should not become the subject of scaremongering and misrepresentation. It is a shame that the Opposition have done that with a cynical letter to The Guardian in support of its scaremongering headline.

Lord Willetts Portrait Mr Willetts
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Not for the first time, my hon. Friend is a voice of sanity in this debate, and I completely agree with his point. Government Members are engaged in improving social mobility and people’s opportunities to go to university, while making absolutely clear the principle that nobody should be able to buy a place at university using their personal wealth. That is the principle we are applying, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his support.