In his song of praises to higher education and to the value of degrees to industry and commerce, Dr Stuart Newton presents no evidence to support his case (Letters, December 16).

To support the contrary case, allow me to present as Exhibit 1 the Government’s own estimate that three graduates in every four will never earn enough to pay off their entire student debt.

That indicates that the nation is producing four times as many graduates than can be economically justified.

Exhibit 2 is The Argus jobs section. A search for even one vacancy stating that a degree is an advantage, let alone necessary, is in vain. The first page of the section features two stories of young men who did not go to university but decided to take apprenticeships. Neither has incurred debt. One is acquiring useful skills, the other has done so and is leading a successful, rewarding and productive life.

Michael Petek
Balfour Road, Brighton