Government warned of 'class warfare' in university admissions plans

The Government was today warned not to engage in "class warfare" in its effort to boost the number of poorer children attending university.

A blueprint for the future of the UK's higher education sector was unveiled today by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who said "there should be no artificial caps on talent".

Universities should not rely purely on the qualifications when making course offers, but look at prospective students' backgrounds, as well as their aptitude and abilities, he said.

The move comes following concerns that students from poorer backgrounds are missing out on places at prestigious institutions.

The proposals were announced in a statement to the Lords by the Business Secretary who said greater priority would be given to programmes that met the need for high-level skills, especially in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) disciplines.

In Commons exchanges on the statement, Mr Willetts warned Higher Education Minister David Lammy about "flirting" with contextual data for university admissions.

There were "excellent" schemes such as that run by Kings College London to help poorer children study medicine.

But, he warned: "Students and their parents will lose confidence in the integrity of the university admission system if it is used for crude class warfare."

Mr Willetts also warned that efforts to promote Stem subjects should not hamper the arts and humanities.

"Are you not aware of the dynamism of our creative industries, of the crucial role of the arts and humanities as well?

"Do you recognise that a dynamic and well-balanced economy needs to draw on the dynamism and research capacity of university departments in the arts and humanities as well as those in Stem subjects?"

Mr Lammy said it was not a case of "either/or" in terms of funding for Stem subjects as opposed to the arts.

"This is a false debate," he said.

Turning to the "class warfare" allegation, Mr Lammy said: "You know that university and attending university is about attainment, it's about aptitude and it's about potential."

He added: "But what we know, for students from poorer backgrounds is that sometimes that potential is thwarted.

"I stand by those young people in constituencies like mine (Tottenham) in a housing estate, sharing a bedroom with four or five brothers and sisters.

"And if they achieve an A and two Bs that needs to be recognised."