Low-income student plea

Education minister Margaret Hodge today increased the pressure on top universities to attract more students from lower income groups, demanding that they "hunt down" talent to meet Government targets.

Her call, in a speech today at the University of London Union, comes after it was disclosed that universities are to be set tough targets to admit more students from poorer backgrounds. The Government has pledged that by the end of the decade, half of 18 to 30-year-olds will have " experience" of higher education.

Ms Hodge has said she is " seriously considering" financial incentives for universities widening access, but has hinted at "sticks as well as carrots".

Earlier this week, Professor Howard Newby, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council, said universities would be set targets for admission by income group.