Statistical myths give lie to white-paper policy

Issues relating to the contention that the UK government has not noticed that access to higher education is expanding and the case for top-up fees is unsound are examined as the consultation period for the government's white paper on higher education comes to an end. It is pointed out that the bottom 63% of income taxpayers (mostly non-graduates) contributed UKPd21 bil during 2002-2003, while the top 37% of taxpayers (mostly graduates) paid UKPd91 bil, indicating the extra income tax contribution of graduates vs non-graduates and suggesting that graduates already contribute far more to public spending than was ever invested in their education.