Stephen Williams MP calls for more support for poorer undergraduates

2.32.00pm GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

It has been revealed that nearly a quarter of university students do not complete their courses, even though £800 million has been spent on measures to tackle the problem.

According to the Commons Public Accounts Committee, the Government is failing to stop working class students leaving university early.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, Stephen Williams MP said:

"Despite the hundreds of millions of pounds that have been spent by the Government, the statistics have not improved since when the last report was taken in 2002."

"There appears to be a lack of reliable information on why students actually leave. The huge amount of money that has been thrown at the problem clearly is not working. Particular attention needs to be paid to the huge financial pressures that many students face."