A risk shared: developing a regional approach for addressing risks to equality of access to higher education

A new report produced by London South Bank University in partnership with London Higher reveals that recent regulatory changes may be weakening efforts to tackle entrenched inequalities in access to higher education across London. Analysing Access and Participation Plans from 43 institutions, the study highlights a decline in targeted action to address systemic barriers, despite ongoing challenges facing underrepresented students.
The findings show limited focus on key pressures such as rising living costs and student accommodation, even as these increasingly constrain student choice and progression in the capital. At the same time, access-related targets have reduced, raising concerns that London’s long-standing progress in widening participation may be at risk.
Collaboration across the sector remains largely fragmented and transactional, with no clear mechanism to coordinate responses to shared regional challenges. This structural gap limits the effectiveness of collective action and weakens the overall impact of widening participation efforts.
The report recommends a more coordinated, region-wide approach, including strengthening the role of the Uni Connect partnership, developing a London-specific Equality of Opportunity Risk Register, and delivering targeted interventions to support underrepresented groups across the capital.

Published: April 2026