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When mature students are being squeezed out of higher education, comments by industry leaders that widening participation "waters down degrees" are badly timed ("Industry hits out at diluted degree trend", THES, April 4). Mature students bring with them a wealth of skills and experience that any employer should relish rather than reject.

Unfortunately, even the white paper refers to giving us "a second chance" for not managing higher education the first time round. This seems designed to vilify mature students so their needs and concerns can be avoided.

Alan J. Coleman
President, Mature Students' Union