David Willetts

New figures from the Student Loans Company published today show that 109,000 students have still not had their applications for financial support processed, after the Government’s student support system collapsed this year. Weeks after term began there are still:

The number of new apprenticeships has plummeted by more than a third this year, despite a high profile advertising campaign by Sir Alan Sugar to encourage more young people to become apprentices.

Responding to new UCAS figures today showing a rise in the number of university applicants unable to find a place, Shadow Secretary of State for Universities and Skills David Willetts said:

Let me start by offering my congratulations on your valuable new report. It is a very useful statement of the current barriers limiting universities and business partnership as well as the potential for working more closely together in the future. The report is a useful contribution at a useful moment.

Up to 140,000 potential students are still looking for places at university after a significant shortage of places, 30,000 more than at the same point last year.

Responding to the news that up to 175,000 students have begun the university term without the loans and grants they’re entitled to, after the Government’s system of financial support for students this year went into meltdown, Shadow Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts said:

For many people raising our children is the most worthwhile thing we do. Raising a family can give new purpose to a marriage, dignity to work and delight to a home. It rests on deep-seated and admirable human instincts. And it is truly democratic as well - you can mess up despite great privileges or you can do brilliantly despite great adversity. A stable loving home is just about the greatest single advantage a child can have.

The recession is hitting people of all ages. But young people are suffering most. Because a long period of unemployment when you are young can scar you for life. And we will all be poorer if we haven’t got the skilled young people we need when recovery comes.

The Conservatives are today announcing plans to create an extra 10,000 new university places next year to help tackle youth unemployment and prevent a repeat of this year’s crisis in university applications.