Wilson promises action on access

Scottish education minister Brian Wilson has promised a "New Year offensive" to boost the number of students from poor backgrounds, writes Olga Wojtas.

Mr Wilson, launching a leaflet and booklet to explain the government's proposals for student support from next session, said he hoped these would lead to greater understanding that the proposals were making it easier rather than more difficult for people from all backgrounds to enter higher education.

Mr Wilson said there was a psychological barrier to be overcome. Too many people ruled out higher education without examining it as an option.

"There should be no village, scheme or street in Scotland where people assume that higher education is not for them. We're going on the offensive in terms of attracting people into higher education," he said.

A New Year conference will explore how entry barriers can be broken down, and how the best of existing access schemes can be extended nationwide.