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<p>To maintain a dynamic and growing economy, the government is committed to tackling
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills shortages. The department
is encouraging more students into STEM education and training, at all stages, from
primary school to higher education (HE).</p><p>To support more students to take STEM
subjects at university, the government has increased investment in maths and digital
subjects within schools, including a new post-16 maths premium and a new £84 million
programme to improve the teaching of computing. Both of these initiatives aim to increase
the number of young people taking these subjects, from all backgrounds.</p><p>This
school-level investment programme is complemented by increasing efforts from the university
sector to encourage more disadvantaged students to enter HE. The Office for Students
(as the regulator for HE in England) has a duty to promote equality of opportunity
in relation to access and participation in HE. In 2018, 18 year olds from disadvantaged
backgrounds were proportionally 52% more likely to enter full-time HE than in 2009.</p>
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