Universities must do more to "hunt down" working class students, higher education minister Margaret Hodge has said.

Defending the target of 50 per cent participation in higher education target, Hodge hit back at critics of the government's "anti-elitist" campaign to widen access to universities. "It's been suggested that getting 50 per cent of 18-30 year olds into higher education by 2010 is either wrong or impossible. The fact is that the target is tough but it is achievable," she said.

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK told ePolitix.com: "Universities UK recognises that widening access is a high priority for the government and we support the current aim to enrol 50 per cent of the population in higher education before the age of 30 by 2010.

"Of course there is always more to be done but universities are committed to working with schools and colleges to help in raising pupils' aspirations. This is shown by our New Opportunities for All Concordat which is looking at new ways to encourage those from non-traditional backgrounds to participate in HE.

"However, successful expansion must be accompanied by appropriate additional funding to fully cover the costs to the sector associated with widening participation, as identified in Universities UK's submission to the government's 2002 spending review. This will help ensure that institutions are able both to bring students in and to provide them with adequate support through to successful completion.

"The outcome of the government spending review will determine the extent to which we can reach out further to the most disadvantaged parts of society."