Stephen Jones is (surely?) a professional sceptic, yet when he meets an academic who blithely admits to ignoring Ucas personal statements (FE Focus, January 9, “Lies, damned lies and personal statements”), he doesn’t even offer a challenge.

OK, the guy is his brother, but that seems a poor excuse for the cop- out.

Stephen Jones could have done a journalistic service by telling us which department his brother heads, in which mysterious “Midlands university”. The rest of us could then advise students not to waste their time applying to it.

Peter Millen, Independent consultant specialising in progression to higher education.