The House of Commons Education Select Committee, reporting on "participation in education and training after 16", says that despite efforts to increase the numbers of young people staying on at school there are "persisting inequalities" - with children from better-off families benefiting most.

The level of participation in education after the age of 16 is "profoundly influenced" by earlier experiences in school - so the committee says that encouraging more teenagers to take further qualifications will require greater efforts lower down the age range.

Also hampering a growth in student numbers in sixth forms or further education college is a lack of useful information - with the all-party committee reporting that much material was "insufficient, selective and partial".

Helping part-time students

Other measures which could widen participation included offering a better deal for part-time students. According to the committee, there needed to be a "level playing field" between full-time and part-time learners.

In particular, the committee recommended that part-time students should have equal access to loans.

But the committee welcomed the introduction of 'Educational Maintenance Allowances' which offer financial incentives to stay in education.