More than a tenth of East Enders have no qualifications

Both constituencies in Tower Hamlets are among the worst third in the country for educational attainment, figures from the University and College Union show.

Labour MP for Bethnal Green & Bow, Rushanara Ali said the 12 per cent of working-age people in her constituency without GCSEs, A Levels or vocational certificates have “so many fewer opportunities in life”.

She warned the axing of the Educational Maintenance Allowance – monthly payments for poorer college-age students - will make the situation worse.

Ms Ali said: “I know how important EMA can be and how much of a barrier high fees will be for many young people in my constituency. I’ve been lobbying the government hard to urge them to reconsider axing the EMA.”

In Poplar & Limehouse 13 per cent of working-age people do not have qualifications.

Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick agreed that abolishing EMA will have a more detrimental impact than the tripling of tuition fees.

There was a clear east/west divide in London as of the 20 worst performing constituencies, three-quarters were in the east.

Those without qualifications have their “ambition blunted”, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt said.

She added: “There are in effect two Londons - one with education and the massive personal benefits it can bring and the other without.”

The figures came from the Office for National Statistics and showed the proportions of adults aged 16-64 with no qualifications last year.

Ilford South was the worst-hit borough in the capital with a fifth of people not qualified.