In reply to Rob Parsons:
Firstly I'm estimating the 5% based on my experience - it may well be wrong in absolute terms, so apologies about that - it's illustrative not absolute.
I'm not suggesting 50% of people should go to university, or that standards are slipping or in fact anything else.
I'm just being a bit provocative, and showing the numbers and trends are exactly opposite to the stated ambition. (I'm guessing JC doesn't really want low student numbers)
I spent many years working with numbers and statistics on a professional level. One thing I learnt is that if the stats don't support your theory, it's because the theory is wrong. Even (or especially), if it's your pet one.
I personally find it frustrating that the spirit of enquiry and questioning, and perhaps rational critique is missing from the blind assumptions. There's many out there at the mo:-
Increasing Corporation tax increases tax take - No it doesn't - decreasing corporation tax tends to result in increased tax take.
Abolishing student fees will result in more students in Uni, and a fairer society. No it doesn't - parity of higher education is more likely with a bigger university 'industry' taking more students.
Nationalising the trains will make them run better - No, it's not likely to. Nationalising trains will more likely see poorer management and more political interference resulting in less investment and poorer services. (OK, this is not so clear).
I'm not having a go at anyone at all on this rather excellent forum. The posts here are excellent and thought provoking, and I enjoy reading them. I do think the best way for a better country is to understand the past, so maybe this is my way of trying to do just that.