The Sutton Trust, a prominent educational charity, has alleged that the middle classes and elite schools are “tightening their grip” on top British universities, despite government policy.

In its submission to Sir Martin Harris, the former vice-chancellor of Manchester University, who is producing guidelines on how universities should increase the number of students from state schools and poorer backgrounds, the Trust alleged that there were “stark inequalities” between educational institutions.

The report claimed that the inequalities were responsible for the disproportionate share of places at elite universities claimed by students from a few top schools.

The Trust stated that in 2007, just 200 leading schools won nearly 38 per cent of the places in 13 of the UK’s leading universities, a figure that had hardly changed since 2002. At Oxford and Cambridge, this figure rose to 44.4 per cent.

Between 2007 and 2002, the proportion of independent school pupils admitted by those 13 universities, for example, rose from 32 per cent to 33 per cent, whilst those from the poorest socio-economic groups stayed at 16 per cent.

Controversially, the report concluded by recommending that “there should be a modest expansion of places at selective universities for non-privileged students who have participated on access and admissions schemes.”

Other recommendations made by the report include offering lower interest rates for lower income students.

Sir Martin was ordered to draw up his recommendations by Lord Mandelson, the First Secretary of State. They are expected to be used as part of his “aspiration” agenda, which will play a key role in Labour’s election strategy.

This has raised fears amongst educators that the review has been politicised, and will be used to force a potentially unpopular “quota” system on universities. The recommendations made in the Sutton Trust’s report are expected to intensify this debate.

Early reactions from some prominent figures in higher education have not been positive. Many have taken issue with the idea that university admissions should be based on factors other than academic merit.

John Morgan, President of the Association of School and College Leaders, and Headteacher of Conyers Comprehensive in Stockton-on-Tees, said: “I don’t think any of us are happy with the idea that if you go to a particular school you are given modified points or a lower offer. It has to be about the individual.”

Tim Hands, Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford, who chairs the joint universities’ committee of two independent school groups — the HMC and the Girls’ Schools Association — said: “With funding cuts and the emphasis on strategic subjects such as science and engineering, of which we are the key providers, this situation will only become more pronounced.”

He added, “What is required is honest attention to problems in our education system which have been government-induced, not ineffectual social engineering"