Michael Gove attacks universities' stance on maths

Michael Gove has accused some of the UK's leading universities of "depressing" the number of students studying maths at school by not being explicit enough about the importance of this subject in their admissions criteria.

The education secretary has written to representatives of the elite Russell Group of universities, as well as the Royal Societies representing the sciences, pointing out that if the UK is to compete internationally, it must be "at the forefront" of equipping pupils with the necessary maths skills.

Setting out his own efforts in this area, such as the development of specialist maths schools for the most able students, Mr Gove acknowledges that ministers "can only do so much".

"Some universities refrain from spelling out the level of maths knowledge and skill required for some of their courses because they wish to maximise the number of applicants," he writes in a letter seen by the Financial Times. "They are, however, depressing the number of students who then pursue maths qualifications in school."

The education secretary will announce on Monday that pupils who fail to score a C or above in maths and English GCSEs will have to continue studying these subjects up to the age of 18.

The proposal was first put forward by Alison Wolf, professor of public sector management at King's College London, whose 2011 review of vocational education suggested it was "scandalous" that half of all 16-year-olds were leaving school without good GCSEs in English and maths.

According to the Department for Education, only one in five 19-year-olds who had not received C or better in GCSE maths said they had continued to study the subject; the rest gave it up altogether. The reform will begin this term and coincides with the education participation age being raised to 17, and to 18 in 2015.

Commenting on the change, Mr Gove said that good qualifications in English and maths were what employers demanded "before all others".

"They are, quite simply, the most important vocational skills a young person can have," he said. "Young people must be able to demonstrate their understanding of these subjects."

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"The competitiveness challenge that the UK faces is global and unrelenting," said Mr Harris. "Increasing education standards is extremely important to businesses, and ensuring that all young people leave education literate and numerate is employers' number one priority for improving the education system."

Separately, Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, will announce on Monday that he is doubling the number of low-income families eligible for free childcare.

The handout, currently available to 20 per cent of parents with two-year-olds, will be given to 40 per cent of this group next year - equivalent to 260,000 toddlers from families earning less than £16,190 a year who receive working tax credits.

Mr Clegg said this would help even more youngsters have a "brighter start in life".

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