Madam, – JA Barnwell (January 31st) repeats some tired debating points on university funding, which ought to be addressed. The claim that “low-paid taxpayers are subsidising third-level education for better-off beneficiaries”, frequently made by Ferdinand von Prondzynski in these pages, is at least partially, if not entirely, spurious. The low-paid pay less tax, and the well-off pay more, in a progressive income tax system such as we have.
That beneficiaries – graduates – earn more over their working lives means they pay more tax, so they already do contribute more. Finally, why should the “ordinary taxpayer” pay for higher education? Because it is of social value and represents a public good that should be provided for by all, and to all. – Yours, etc,
