million+ comments on the publication of the Government White Paper ‘New Opportunities – Fair Chances for the Future’
Responding to the publication today of the Government White Paper focusing on social mobility, Professor Les Ebdon Chair of the university think-tank million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire said, “I support 100% the Government’s recognition of the role of education and higher level skills in transforming people’s lives. The picture painted of progress in social mobility in the UK has been much too gloomy. There are however, lessons that Government can still learn from those universities which have contributed most to creating new opportunities for students from families with no experience of higher education. But University is not just about young people. Significant social mobility can also be promoted by ensuring that funding systems support students who enter university later and those who need to study part-time.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- The Government White Paper ‘New Opportunities – Fair Chances for the Future’ was published today and focuses on social mobility and equality of opportunity. This can be found on the Cabinet Office website www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- For more information or to talk to Professor Ebdon please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171657 or 07900 277819.