Figures suggest that the University of Cambridge only admitted 25 students who recived free school meals during 2009-10 and 2010-11. The University of Oxford accepted just 15 in both years. 

David Willetts, the Minister of State for Universities and Science, revealed that on average, the 24 institutions that form the Russell Group institutions admit only 64 of the country's poorest students each year. The finding was in response to a question posed in Parliament by the Tory MP for Waveney, Peter Aldous, asking how many school pupils "with free school meals at age 15" then go on to places at Russell Group universities.

The total number of free school meal students in higher education by the age of 19 in the academic year 2009-10 was estimated to be 1,580. This figure then dropped by around 40 in the following year, the most recent statistics provided by Willetts showed. 

Pan Hu, a member of the Fitzwilliam College Target and Access Committee, expressed frustration at the situation: "Education, especially in Russell Group universities, is generally seen as a gateway to secure and long term employment – it is a shame that they [pupils receiving free school meals] are seriously missing out due to a lack of resources and consistent encouragement."

She added: "Cambridge target and access committees in each college are working to provide publication materials and host events to increase the proportion of under-represented pupils, however current statistics have demonstrated that we are doing far from enough." 

The free school meals system is based on whether the child's parents or guardians receive benefit-support such as jobseeker's allowance, income support and child tax credits. However, the receipt of free school meals has become an indicator for poverty in many areas. According to Department of Education statistics, 18 per cent of 4-15 year olds in full-time state education currently receive free school meals.

However, the University of Cambridge has disputed these statistics. In a statement released to Newsnight, the university offered different data: "The University’s own data suggests that the official statistics on FSM [free school meals] significantly under-report participation. Our 2012 intake included 50+ students who had previously been in receipt of FSM. Around 10% of our current undergraduate body meets the household income threshold for FSM entitlement."

The university gathered this information from a question directed to students applying to the National Scholarship Programme, where applicants were asked to indicate if they had previously been in receipt of free school meals. From these results, the university claims that it admits one quarter of all students eligible for free school meals that attain A-level grades above the standard offer level of A*AA. The university affirms that it is "committed to the principle that no UK student should be deterred from applying because of financial concerns".