Bruce George MP today welcomed figures showing an 18.1 % rise in the number of young people from Walsall South going to university in the last ten years. The government has worked hard to expand opportunities for young people to get a degree, and these figures show that young people from Walsall are benefiting.

Over recent years we have seen a number of initiatives introduced to widen participation in higher education. These have included:
Student grants so that over two thirds of students get a full or partial grant of up to £2,835
The Aimhigher scheme as well as the Aimhigher mentoring scheme to raise young peoples’ aspirations, encourage them that to believe that university could be for them, and help them get there
Expansion of the gifted and talented programme to help pupils reach their potential
Encouraged universities to form deep, long term structural links with schools, such as sponsoring an academy or trust school, to help raise aspirations, drive up standards, and help young people apply to university.
Increased attainment at GCSE and A-level so that more young people have the necessary qualifications to go to university
Required all universities to publish their admissions policies and procedures, and show they are being fairly implemented
Increased investment in higher education by over 23% since 1997, so that more young people than ever before have the opportunity to get a degree.

Speaking today, Bruce George MP said:

“I very much welcome the rise in young people going to university from Walsall South. Ten years ago, some young people round here thought that university wasn’t for them. But we’ve worked hard to raise aspirations and help them get the qualifications they need, and all the hard work is paying off.

But there is still much more that can be done. Far too few young people from Walsall go on to Higher Education. Everyone involved in education must redouble their efforts to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of the excellent higher education establishments that we have in the UK.

I’m glad the government transferred the responsibility for education in Walsall away from the Council to SERCO. Since that decision good progress has been made in improving education in Walsall, but know is not the time to be complacent, we must continue the effort to improve education in the city.”