Hostages to fortune

Labour Party launches ten education manifesto pledges, May 23

"...Ten, we will enable half of young people under the age of 30 to progress to higher education by 2010, while improving standards."

Lifelong learning minister Malcolm Wicks, interview with The THES , May 23

"I would particularly like to see more people progressing from further education to university. We need to do more to encourage that to happen."

Tony Blair on improvements and investment in the National Health Service, May 22

"But we can do none of this without the people who work in the NHS. I believe passionately in attracting high-quality staff to the NHS. That means valuing them, respecting them and treating them well."

Schools minister Estelle Morris on reforms to schools and the curriculum, May 18

"We see no reason why as many as 200,000 youngsters should not be able to take vocational courses rather than academic ones. Such an approach will meet their aptitudes and the needs of employers for more skilled people."

Shadow education secretary Theresa May on teacher shortages, May 19

"But we also understand that pay is not the primary reason that teachers join the profession. They join so that they can use their skills to inspire our young people. They leave because this government does not let them get on with the job."

• If you see or hear a promise made by a politician about higher education or research, email it to election2001@thes.co.uk