I suppose that the received wisdom about tuition fees is that free higher education became unsustainable once it underwent a pretty explosive expansion. Well I don't agree with that. If investing in our young people is a worthwhile thing then the country should pay.

I have mixed feelings about the funding of care for the elderly. I've never thought it right that some lucky buggers can inherit fortunes while others get nowt, nothing to do with merit. So does that mean that your assets should indeed be used to fund your care? All of 'em? Some, and, if some, what proportion? Is it fair that someone who's unfortunate enough to suffer many years of dementia should use up their assets to pay for care whereas it doesn't cost you a penny if you suddenly drop dead? What about the families bearing the burden of their relative suffering long-term illness - should that be recognised when considering the extent of protection of assets? Should we all pay extra tax, based on ability to pay, into a compulsory fund that pays for all care for the elderly? The socialist bit of me thinks that that would be fair. I don't envy politicians who have to grapple with this.