Top universities in England have been told to significantly increase places for disadvantaged youngsters. The university watchdog, the Office for Students, wants the “access gap” between wealthier and poorer students to be halved in five years. Young people from affluent areas are six times more likely to get places at the most selective universities. “It is damning for the sector that large gaps still remain,” said Universities Minister Chris Skidmore. “We cannot let this talent be wasted.” READÂ MORE