The news that over half of England’s young people are going to university will be music to Tony Blair’s ears. According to the latest government figures, 50.2 per cent of 17-30 year-olds in England had participated in higher education in 2017-18.
Back in 1999, when the figure was only 39 per cent, Blair set himself the 50 per cent target and less than 20 years later it has been achieved. The percentage of young people in England going to college or university is now even higher than in the United States, where the figure for 18-24 year-olds is about 40 per cent. DT.
Of course, this was always a political move from Blair - bringing hosts of those who would never previously have done so under the influence of the academic left. This is not an attempt to improve education. What nation needs that many people at uni? - No. The net result is that higher and higher qualifications are now being asked for basic jobs. To be honest, I have always felt that the main thrust of the policy was to 'hide unemployment' by taking youngsters out of the job market for an extra three or four years.
