Commenting on today's UCAS figures, which show that 50,000 students will miss out on university places this year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Universities Secretary, Stephen Williams said:
"This surge in applications reveals just how nervous young people are about entering today's tough job market.
"Record numbers of youngsters will be disappointed this summer when they get their grades and still can't get a place at university, particularly as ministers have botched the funding for the additional places they promised to offer.
"It is little wonder that so many school leavers want to carry on studying since, despite announcement after announcement promising them help, the Government has left the vast majority facing a choice between that and the Jobcentre."
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