A graduate tax adds up

Ministers and advisers are still trying to agree on the best way of raising cash for universities. They should back the option that is the most straightforward and fairest. A graduate tax takes into account the level of an individual's earnings, and recognises that students as a whole earn more than those who do not go to university.

Ministers and advisers are still trying to agree on the best way of raising cash for universities. They should back the option that is the most straightforward and fairest. A graduate tax takes into account the level of an individual's earnings, and recognises that students as a whole earn more than those who do not go to university.

Britain already suffers from an elitist system in which a higher proportion of public school kids head for Oxbridge compared with comprehensive pupils. Top-up fees would only worsen the situation. If British universities want to compete with the world's best they should find other sources of finance. A combination of cash allocated from public spending and a graduate tax would give universities a much needed financial boost.