News from Sheffield Labour

Decline in university applications could be start of very worrying trend

Responding to today’s announcement that university applications have declined Paul Blomfield, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Central, says that this could be the start of a very worrying trend. Mr Blomfield is a member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee and Secretary of the All Party Parliament Group on Higher Education.

Paul Blomfield MP said: “Today’s announcement that UCAS applications have declined by nearly 9% could be the start of a very worrying trend. I’m not simply concerned with the overall drop, but by the varying rates of decline hidden within the main figure. I’m concerned that when more detailed figures are released they will show a big drop-off in the number of applicants from low-income families where there isn’t a tradition of anyone studying at university. The Government’s decision to treble fees to £9000 and increase the burden of debt that students now have to take on is a major disadvantage for people from low-income backgrounds.

“We are seeing the biggest fall in university applications for 30 years, reversing the growth in applications under the Labour government. This will not only reduce the life chances of those who now cannot afford university, but undermine the development of the skills our economy needs. Britain cannot afford to have fewer graduates each year than our global competitors.”

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• Commons votes for Polling Stations to remain open after 10pm - 29 January 2013
• Paul Blomfield MP challenges the Chancellor on his unfair cuts - 29 January 2013