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date: 3 November 2009

embargo: For immediate release

Government must harness record levels of ambition for higher education

Responding to the Government's report on the future of universities Higher Ambitions published today (Tuesday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's report comes as more people than ever want to achieve higher level skills. Harnessing this record level of ambition is crucial to the UK's long-term economic prospects.

'But barriers to higher education continue to hold back young people from low-income groups and working people wishing to achieve higher level skills.

'We welcome the focus on widening access to higher education by making it more accessible to workers, people in further education and apprentices.

'Businesses should play an important role in shaping higher education as employability is crucial to encouraging take up of courses but the valuable insights of students and university staff must not be ignored.

'The forthcoming tuition fees review cannot simply be a rubber stamp to increase tuition fees, a move which would price out poorer students and strike a blow against social mobility.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 3 Nov 2009