Teach First, the British scheme that fast-tracks top graduates to teach in deprived areas, has become Britain’s single biggest employer of university leavers. The scheme took on 1,261 graduates this year, more than banks, the Army or the civil service graduate scheme. Its first intake, in 2003, was 186. Many of its recruits come from underprivileged backgrounds themselves: a third are the first generation in their family to have gone to university; 25% were on free school meals. (The Week 26 July,2013).

Good for them. A community spirit. Service to other people less fortunate than youself is very Epicurean. Let’s hope that, if the economy finally picks up they don’t decamp to the finncial sector.