The Press Association quoted Sir Peter Lampl in its coverage of a new OFFA access report, carried by over 100 news outlets.

The number of students who received financial help from universities and colleges has fallen for the second year in a row, an official report shows.

But those who did receive help did get bigger awards, according to information published by the fair access watchdog.

In a report, The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) also said universities and colleges have met, or are on course to meet in the planned time, 90% of the targets that they set themselves in their 2013-14 access agreements.

The report says institutions will be asked to “build on this success to make further, faster progress”.

…….

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: “Today’s report from OFFA tells us that the increased investment in access and outreach funding in recent years has led to real improvements in access to higher education for young people from disadvantaged background.

“However, whilst entry rates for undergraduates from low-income homes are improving, a persistent access gap of over nine times remains at the most selective universities. It is vital that institutions continue and extend their outreach work to narrow that gap.”

Read the PA coverage via Yahoo News here

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