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  I worked at the University of Kent for 35 years and both my children went to uni in the 90s so I have seen the changes over the years from both sides.
  
  Until the late 90s there were about 50 universities and a few polytechnics teaching degrees, with no tuition fees for home students and a means tested grant from county councils, all of which were affordable from public finances.
  
  Then Tony Blair decided 50% of the population should go on to higher education even though less than 50% of the population can benefit from a university education and a degree is not needed for 50% of the jobs going. This level of students is unaffordable from public finances so fees have to be introduced at the levels we're seeing now.
  
  The answer is to reduce the number of undergraduates but that is going to be difficult to implement from above - my feeling is that the natural laws of supply and demand will come into play. Potential students will bring about the reduction themselves by going straight into work in increasing numbers to avoid debt they don't want for a qualification that is no use to them.
  
  Hopefully the hole will be filled by a lot more apprenticeships and on-the-job education of the ONC|/HNC type.

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