Responding to claims from the Conservative Party education spokesman David Willetts that 140,000 prospective students missed out on a university place this year, Alice Hynes, Chief Executive of the higher education representative body GuildHE said:

“We are pleased to hear David Willetts highlighting the value of giving people the chance to enter higher education and pointing out the potential damage of leaving them to join the dole queue instead.

“It has to be acknowledged that not everyone who fails to gain a place has the ability or qualifications to succeed. Some of those that do not get into higher education may find more suitable courses in further education colleges.

“But it is very disappointing to find that the serious efforts that have been made to encourage more people from wider backgrounds to apply for higher education places are being hampered by financial constraints. The extra places proposed by the Government will help, but the mismatch between demand and the supply of places is clearly a big worry.”

For more information, please contact:

Alice Hynes

GuildHE Chief Executive

Tel: 0207 387 7711

Email: alice.hynes@guildhe.ac.uk