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Nick Barr ("Fees do not harm access, says architect of policy", 22 January) quotes a researcher in child development as saying that by the age of 18 all the damage is done. Ignatius of Loyola always said that all value systems were in place by the age of seven (his age when his mother died). We must put into place educational opportunity and teach the value of education at an early age, but we must also maintain and enhance access and retention strategies at our universities.

Tim Birtwistle, Professor of law and policy of higher education Leeds Metropolitan University.