Tories: Access issues deep-seated

Improving university admissions will not fully address the problem of raising higher education participation among young people, David Willetts believes.

The Conservative shadow innovation, universities and skills secretary's comments came as the government outlined its intention to enhance scrutiny of the admissions process.

Mr Willetts warned the "serious problem of young people from modest backgrounds not getting through to university" would not be solved through government interference in admission.

He suggested the problem was "much more deep-seated within our education system" and needs more "fundamental measures" to be properly addressed.

"That means more good schools. It means better support for young people considering university. It means a strong further education sector leading on to higher education, reform of bursaries and a fair deal for part-time students and returners," Mr Willetts explained.

"The government's policy is the wrong response to a very serious problem."