Intergenerational equity and the perils of groupthink

As the implications of what it appears that the coalition is about to do in the upcoming budget sinks in, I have to admit to growing increasingly concerned. No-one – outside of the Labour leadership contest anyway – denies that the structural deficit needs to be tackled or that we don’t face some unpleasant spending… Continue reading Intergenerational equity and the perils of groupthink

Has David Willetts really thought through his pro-tuition fees argument?

I really am starting to wonder if the Tories get economics at all (on a related note, see my latest article on the Social Liberal Forum). In a fascinatingly revealing intemperate rant to the Guardian, David Willetts has described students as a “burden on the taxpayer” and that “the so-called debt [students] have is more… Continue reading Has David Willetts really thought through his pro-tuition fees argument?

What are tuition fees spent on?

Not sure I quite agree with the front page Guardian headline today: Tuition fees favour the rich – new study. When you read the detail, it turns out that the Sutton Trust report is somewhat more nuanced than that. It isn’t the tuition fees policy alone that has lead to the current situation of declining… Continue reading What are tuition fees spent on?