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Jim Murphy welcomes the publication of the Institute for Public Policy Research Commission on Social Justice on behalf of the National Union of Students. His organisation has made some impressive strides in recent years towards engaging with reality, especially in stealing Tory thunder by instituting internal democratic reforms. However, if Mr Murphy is serious about facing the challenges ahead, the NUS needs to look seriously at the question of student finance.

The issue of hypothecated taxes is on the national agenda. NUS should seize the opportunity to lead the debate around earmarking a proportion of graduate incomes to be paid as tax dedicated to the higher education system.

There are few people, outside the Government, who do not believe that Britain's economic survival depends on a skills revolution.

The debate now must focus on new ways of paying for a world-beating higher education system.

PAUL RICHARDS Chair National Organisation of Labour Students 1990/91.