THE University of West London (UWL) has teamed up with the former Secretary for Education, Justine Greening, to increase access to higher education.

The plan sets out a series of ambitions to ensure more people can improve their career opportunities and be able to progress unhindered, irrespective of their background or connections.

UWL is a part of a pioneering group of UK universities and businesses striving to set a new and higher standard on boosting social mobility in Britain.

The Opportunity Action Plan is the culmination of months of work with the Social Mobility Pledge team, who identified UWL as a trailblazer in social mobility, helping level up opportunities for all.

UWL was also an early signatory of the Social Mobility Pledge, cofounded by Greening in 2018 alongside entrepreneur David Harrison, which asks for a commitment to levelling up Britain by partnering with schools, offering apprenticeships and using open and fair recruitment practices.

Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor at UWL, said: "Offering fair and equal access to education and boosting social mobility is one of the most important things we do here at UWL as part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and game-changers.

"As the Career University, we are already taking a leading role to help businesses grow and upskill our workforce right across the region.

"This partnership will only strengthen that commitment and help us work with even more partners to fully realise the potential of everyone within our communities."

Justine Greening said: "Achieving true social mobility in Britain and levelling up our country is a huge challenge but one that businesses and universities are rising to.

"They have a crucial role to play and can be an incredible force for good in spreading opportunities more evenly across communities and to people that have missed out for far too long.

"The COVID-19 crisis has also reset the relationship between universities and their students, who expect them to be much more active on social purpose.

"I am delighted that UWL is at the forefront of this environmental, social and corporate governance agenda.

"Publishing this action plan today sends out a clear signal that the University of West London is raising the standard of corporate ESG and I look forward to working closely with them in the important months ahead for our country.

"I hope many more universities will follow UWL's lead and consider how they can go further, faster to make Britain a high skilled, high knowledge economy."