IN 2012 the government changed regulations so that some children of migrants would no longer be eligible for student loans.

This led to the absurd situation where young people who were lawfully resident, had been living here from a very young age, had been through primary, junior, secondary and sixth-form here were now barred from going to university.

It just strikes me as desperately unfair, so thoroughly un-British.

A group of affected youngsters took the government to the Supreme Court. I met up with them recently.

I had a totally inspiring chat with a student called Mistura. Her family came from Nigeria and legally settled in the UK when she was aged seven. She’s been a star pupil and has an offer from Manchester University.

But she can’t go because the government blocked her from student finance.

But I have some amazing news. I was called yesterday by some very excited people.

The Supreme Court has just found in their favour and declared the government has been acting illegally.

I will now be using my position to press for the government to reinstate the right for these young people to attend university without delay.

It is a reminder to us of just how fundamental a right access to education is. That a government would seek to stand in their way is beyond the pale.

Young people care, they have passion, and we as a society let them down far more often than they let us down. I will continue to do all I can to ensure government acts on the judgement and doesn’t play politics with these young people’s lives anymore.

  • Peter Kyle is MP for Hove