A leaked government memo has revealed that some of Britain’s most prestigious universities do not offer a high enough “quality and intensity of teaching” to charge students £9,000 a year.

Notes for a Number 10 meeting caught on camera reveal ministers believe that some universities are charging the highest tuition fees rate despite not proving their worth.

The document also revealed that ministers believe Cameron’s pledge to double the number of poor children going to university will “never” be achieved.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “This revelation shows the Government are giving up on widening access to higher education in a shocking reversal of their earlier pledge. It is so important that we help students get on whatever their background. This is yet another example of the Government failing the most vulnerable in our society.“