By Andy Preston

For years, Britain has sold a lie to its young people: go to university and you’ll earn more and go further.

The tale was told by politicians, teachers and universities and it became an accepted truth. Clinging to that lie badly harms our young people and all of us via a damaged economy.

This summer the University of Sunderland ran an advert declaring: “Students who choose university will earn more.” That’s just not true. The statement might have been accurate fifty years ago when far fewer went to university and the average graduate did earn more than their peers. But today, that message is certainly false and is being told by those with a financial incentive to mislead – this is a case of mis-selling.

The data tells the truth: Income Data Research finds that degree-level apprentices’ starting pay has risen by 31 per cent since 2018, compared with just 8 per cent for graduates and NFCE says that five years after completion, Level 4 apprentices earn about £33,800 a year more than graduates aged under thirty, who average £31,500. And while university students rack up debts of........

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