Widening participation in higher education is both an economic and social necessity. Everyone who has the potential and qualifications to succeed in higher education, whatever their family background, should have the opportunity to participate. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced on 5 July a further package of improvements to the financial support available in England to students from hard working families on modest incomes; so that no one from such backgrounds is held back from realising their potential by concerns about the affordability of university study. Alongside those arrangements, we have the Aimhigher programme, raising aspiration and attainment levels amongst those currently under-represented in higher education; the Office for Fair Access, ensuring that institutions charging variable tuition fees for their courses safeguard and promote fair access through bursaries and other financial and outreach work; and the work of the higher education sector to reform the current university application system so that it is more transparent, efficient and fairer.