Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his policy is on maintaining the student opportunity allocation in its current form.

Widening participation in higher education remains a priority for this Government. The Prime Minister has committed to doubling the proportion of people from disadvantaged backgrounds entering higher education by the end of this Parliament from 2009 levels.

We are reviewing all areas of the Department’s expenditure as part of our preparations for the spending review and no decisions have yet been taken on any funding streams beyond 2015-16.