Higher education statement

The Conservatives have warned the government not to engage in "class warfare" in its effort to boost the number of poorer children attending university.

A blueprint for the future of the UK's higher education sector was unveiled in the Lords on 3 November by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who said "there should be no artificial caps on talent".

Lord Mandelson's statement was subsequently repeated in the Commons by higher education minister David Lammy.

In Commons exchanges on the plans, shadow universities secretary Willetts warned Mr Lammy about "flirting" with contextual data for university admissions.

He warned: "Students and their parents will lose confidence in the integrity of the university admission system if it is used for crude class warfare."

Mr Lammy responded: "You know that university and attending university is about attainment, it's about aptitude and it's about potential."

He added: "But what we know, for students from poorer backgrounds is that sometimes that potential is thwarted."