Applications to universities have risen according to UCAS. Are we to be happy about this? The Labour government has long had the ambition of 50% of school leavers securing a ‘university’ education. Evidence to suggest this policy benefits all is to my mind pretty scanty.

Last year, a report suggested that some students had regretted taking their degrees. One third of graduates when asked by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) thought they had done the wrong degree. Furthermore, the increase in average starting salaries between those who graduated in 2000 and 2005 was found to be just 8%. Worryingly, one-third of those who graduated in 2005 were failing to contribute to a pensions saving scheme. Despite these woeful statistics, three-quarters of graduates indicated that their degree had allowed them to develop better communication and presentation skills, and generally built their self-confidence. So, not all bad then! I am not convinced that one needs to undertake an expensive three year ‘degree’ course to achieve personal development. Apprenticeships could serve the same purpose, and in view of graduate employment prospects, provide a more likely route into work.

Where and when was it written that half of the population would benefit from a university education? Once upon a time, university was a place for the academically gifted. Degrees were conferred that had value and were recognised by industry as evidence of intellectual achievement. Are we sure that this remains the case? Baroness Deech has reported today that degree courses can encourage cheating. She said that the structure of a typical degree course was far from ideal: “Everything is processed. Instead of students sitting and reading and listening and writing their own material, everything is presented visually.” Not particularly encouraging is it?

Labour’s problem is that it is not elitist. Indeed, elitism is a dirty word for most Socialists, e.g. note their strong objections to grammar schools. Universities, however, exist to find the elite, support them and educate them. Indeed, they are sustained by the very same elite, as it is they who either stay to educate the next generation or go into industry and generate wealth. It is that wealth generation which Britain needs if it is to have the hospitals, schools, universities, police and armed forces that most Britons desire. The importance of a successful and well-funded tertiary education sector cannot be over stated.

I am in favour of every individual in this country fulfillling his or her potential. Our country cannot afford to squander talent of any form. I am not convinced, however, that the fulfilment of that potential necessarily involves undertaking a degree course. What about apprenticeships? What about just going to work after school? Tony Blair may be quite rightly highlighting the university funding problem today. He would do better, however, to get the quality of the product right first. What is it about this government? Why do they insist upon spending our money before the necessary reforms are in place?