University unlikely for poorest youngsters

Fewer than one person in every 25 aged under 21 go to university in the country's most deprived neighbourhoods.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal a glaring gap in university participation between the richest and poorest areas of the country, despite £2bn a year being spent to open up higher education to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Those from areas that are among the country's richest 10 per cent are twice as likely to go to university as those from the poorest 10 per cent – 59.8 per cent compared with 31.9 per cent.

In 21 wards, less than 5 per cent of under 21s opt for higher education. The worst participation rate is in Bradford, West Yorkshire – 3.7 per cent of under 21s attend university in its deprived inner city ward of Tong.

The figures come on the eve of a warning by the leader of the university and college lecturers union that 10,000 jobs could be lost in the sector next year as a result of budget cuts – resulting in institutions turning away about 30,000 applicants.