SO now the Government - after years of insisting that A levels are not getting any easier, it's just that modern students work harder - now decrees that the exams are too difficult and elitist. In order to encourage more students to attend university, A levels should be made easier - officially.

In modern parlance this is called 'dumbing down'. And our academic standards are the last thing we want dumbing down.

Imagine in 10 years time two people going for one job. One has taken the dumbed down A-levels, one has taken the 'older' version. Is there to be a warning to employers about the relative merits of the examinations?

If the A levels are made easier, then it will inevitably lengthen degree courses, particularly in science and engineering. In other words increased costs to the student, to the nation and less academically able people entering on degree courses.

Making A levels easier is taking political correctness far too far.

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