"Its clear the Tories want to turn their backs on millions of adults who want to improve their skills, claiming that this is the route to economic competitiveness when in fact nothing could be further from the truth - in the global economy we need to invest in the skills of the whole workforce which is exactly what the Leitch report will be setting out.

"This latest Tory document just shows that despite all the spin, Tory instincts haven't changed. They would deny millions the opportunity of higher education, slamming the doors of Universities and colleges shut in the faces of young people everywhere."

Responding to this speculation, Wes Streeting, NUS vice-president (education) said, "This could be a real return to bad form for the Conservatives, who seem to be suggesting a 1st and 2nd class university system. It is unlikely that the plans will disadvantage A-level students from Eaton or Harrow, it could however, disadvantage the poorest and the most vulnerable people from going to university. We await to see the full Conservative Party vision for both vocation and higher education.

"The most prominent voices in the country are clamouring for more graduates. The Leitch interim report, which analysed the social and economic benefits of increasing the UK's skills base, shows that we should be increasing the number of adults with degrees by 3.5 million, certainly not decreasing them.”

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