[Angus]

Another tragedy that can be laid at Labour's door - their obsession with getting as many kids into higher education, even if they study mickey mouse degrees, has resulted in a culture of unrealistic expectations from said kids who think they should be walking straight into a well paid job, instead of which they find themselves saddled with massive debt and unable to land even a part time job at McDonalds.

Dumbing down qualifications means that even those with several A levels are often found by employers to be semi literate, semi numerate, and frankly unemployable.

Academic qualifications are a worthy aspiration but don't let's forget that the name of the game is to leave education with the ability to find work and support oneself, not arse around at uni for several years doing "media studies" and then expect to fall into a lucrative career. It's about time that more kids were diverted towards the trades -that's where the real shortages are and where there's money to be made.