MINISTERS face mounting pressure to drop plans to set minimum grade requirements for student loans after universities warned that the proposed new restriction could entrench the disadvantage suffered by poor students. 

The government is conducting a consultation on whether students without at least a GCSE pass in England and maths or two E-grade A-levels should be eligible for student loans to support them while studying at university. 

Universities UK (UUK), representing 140 institutions, has spoken out against the proposal.