Majority of inner London pupils on free meals going to university, data shows

Inner-city FSM pupils in capital also twice as likely to gain places at selective universities as counterparts elsewhere

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Young people from deprived families in inner London are going to university at a greater rate than children in other parts of England, even as enthusiasm for higher education has levelled off nationally.

More than 50% of inner London’s pupils on free school meals (FSM) had progressed to higher education by age 19 in 2023-24, compared with fewer than 46% of young people from all backgrounds, and below 20% for pupils on FSM living in a quarter of local authorities outside London.