Sir Peter Lampl: University grants

Sir Peter Lampl responded in The Times to threats to cut funding for disadvantaged students.

Our future economic growth requires us to develop research and to use the talents of all our young people regardless of background

It would be a social and economic mistake for the Government to cut grants to disadvantaged students, as some vice-chancellors are reportedly suggesting (report, May 21). While universities should spend more of the money they currently allocate to bursaries on raising the aspirations of students while still at school, this should not be an alternative to government funding for widening university participation more generally.

Our future economic growth requires us both to develop cutting-edge research and to use the talents of all our young people regardless of background. We can ill afford to let up on efforts to encourage less advantaged pupils with the right grades to go to university. To do so would be a false economy and a backward step for social mobility.

Read the full letter here