TEACHERS accused the Government yesterday of sending out conflicting signals by quashing targets for increasing the number of working-class university students, which had been proposed by one of its own agencies.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) proposed specific targets in its strategic plan for the next five years for admitting students from the three lowest socio-economic groups.

But officials said HEFCE was now "reconsidering its position" in the light of an access strategy Education Secretary Charles Clarke is expected to publish in the next few weeks.

The move comes after private schools last week boycotted Bristol University over its alleged discrimination against their pupils in favour of others from poorly-performing comprehensives.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, said: ''We are now in the ridiculous situation where the Government and HEFCE are sending out conflicting signals. Universities don't know what on earth they are meant to be doing."

Shadow education secretary Damian Green said: "Why doesn't the Government stop interfering and respect the ability of universities to spot merit and potential in students from all social backgrounds?"

Matthew Andrews, assistant registrar at Durham University, said: "We don't want to have any sort of process which attaches unfair weight to particular groups.

"We admit students on their own merits and firmly believe that people from all backgrounds should be able to apply to university and be dealt with fairly."

A Department for Education and Skills spokesman insisted the targets were only ''draft proposals".