(2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of people from the richest backgrounds who obtained degree level qualifications in each of the last 10 years.
I have been asked to reply.
This information is not held centrally.
Information is available on full-time young (aged 18-20) participation in higher education by socio-economic class. The table shows the following:
1. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the top three socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
2. The proportion of 18-20 year olds from the bottom four socio-economic classes who participate for the first time in full-time higher education;
3. The difference, or “gap” between these two rates.
Academic year 2002 2003 2004 2005 % from NS-SECs 1, 2 and 3 44.6 41.5 41.5 43.3 % from NS-SECs 4, 5, 6 and 7 17.6 17.9 17.7 19.9 Difference 27.0 23.6 23.8 23.4
The figures cover English-domiciled 18-20 year olds who are studying for the first time at higher education level at UK higher education institutions or English further education colleges, who remain on their courses for at least six months.
Due to a change from social class to socio-economic class in 2001, earlier comparable figures are not available. The 2006/07 figures will become available later this year.
The Government remain committed to widening participation in higher education it is an economic as; well as a social imperative that everyone who can benefit from higher education has the opportunity to do so. Widening participation is about spotting and nurturing talent, with schools, colleges and universities working together to ensure that all those with the potential and merit to benefit from higher education are able to do so.