‘Anti-levelling up’: Tory former education secretary criticises PM’s university plan

Rishi Sunak visited a school in east London on Monday, where he said: ‘There are a range of people who are being let down by the current [university] system.’ Photograph: Alberto Pezzali/AP

A Conservative former education secretary has criticised Rishi Sunak’s plans to limit access to university degrees in England, accusing him of “anti-levelling up in action” if he presses ahead with the policy.

Justine Greening, who ran the Department for Education from 2016 to 2018, said the proposal would disproportionately affect more disadvantaged people from the poorest communities.