The head of the NIAO, Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly, said: It is vital that our education system does all it can to address underachievement in order to improve the life chances of our young people and to ensure that our economy is well equipped to compete in an increasingly global marketplace.

BBC: Classroom

Opposition spokeswoman Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town welcomed the "modest" amendment, telling peers it would improve the assessment process and ensure the right benefit was paid to the right people.

BBC: Welfare Reform Bill

Paul Wellings, chair of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities, called for the review to abide by two principles - to ensure that the cost does not stop people from attending university and the need to improve the student experience.

BBC: Student funding