Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2015 to Question 9131, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of admissions to university of students from low-income backgrounds in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

The latest information published by UCAS showing the percentage of 18 year olds from the most disadvantaged areas in England who obtain a place at university, is shown in the table. The figures show that in 2014 the entry rate reached its highest ever level.

Entry rates of English 18 year olds from the most disadvantaged areas¹.

Source: UCAS end of cycle report 2014

1. Quintile 1 of the POLAR2 measure of disadvantage. This measure was developed by HEFCE and classifies small areas across the UK into five groups according to their level of young participation in HE. Each of these groups represents around 20 per cent of young people and is ranked from quintile 1 (areas with the lowest young participation rates, considered as the most disadvantaged) to quintile 5 (highest young participation rates, considered most advantaged).