The Augar report on higher education has a sting in its tail | Jonathan Wolff

The proposals are significantly regressive, increasing total payments made by lower earners, such as teachers and nurses

As Sir Humphrey would have said, taking on the job of reviewing post-18 education, and especially its funding, is a courageous decision. The system is so grim, and the possibilities for significant change so limited, that even those who benefit from changes will complain that not enough has been done, while those who expect to lose will not hold back their anguish.

Nevertheless, the man who agreed to serve when called, the banker Philip Augar, assisted by a highly eminent and respected team, has finally reported. Pencils, nay swords, had been sharpened in advance, for we knew that hope must be abandoned by all who entered here.