Commenting on the data , Robbie Cruikshanks, Senior Researcher, Higher Education at the Education Policy Institute said :
“Despite some progress in widening participation for disadvantaged students in recent years, today’s data shows worrying signs that that this progress has stalled, and might even be going in reverse.
The government must continue efforts to narrow this participation gap with an ongoing aim to address the financial burden of higher education faced by disadvantaged students. The government must also ensure that there are accessible and high-quality post-18 pathways offered to the majority of students who do not progress to higher education.”