Leading Article: Diploma doubts

The 1994 Group is to be applauded for commissioning research into the extent to which universities are ready for the new diplomas being introduced as a rival to A-levels. The fact that the organisation uncovered some nervousness on the part of admissions tutors and senior academics is not at all surprising.

Most of them know very little about the diplomas. The report should be seen as a wake-up call for the Government to ensure that the public is aware of how the diplomas differ from A-levels, and why advocates of diplomas, such as Ed Balls, think they are superior. The debate should begin now.