Universities ask to expand

Britain faces economic decline and the growth of an underclass if universities are not allowed to expand, vice-chancellors have told Sir Ron Dearing's inquiry into the future of higher education.

In its response to the inquiry, the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals said that anyone who could benefit from going to university should be given the chance to do so.

At present the proportion of young people entering higher education is capped at just under a third. Fran Abrams