Ethan Brown’s mum Tracy was excitedly getting ready for his graduation just before Christmas last year. But when she went to check on her son at their home in Coatbridge she found him dead, having taken his own life. What his family did not know was that he had earlier been told by Glasgow University that he had failed his degree. But the university had made a terrible mistake and it was later discovered that he had actually passed with flying colours – achieving a 2:1 honours degree. They also failed to refer him to support services when telling him – wrongly as it turned out – he would not be graduating. Mum Tracy and the family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, are now demanding to know how such a mistake could happen. They are also raising serious concerns about the mental health support available to young people at our further education institutions. There is no doubt that the well-paid people who run the university should be shame-faced at how this young man’s situation was handled. The lack of humanity and care for Ethan – even after mental health concerns were raised – is staggering. Parents across the country have just sent thousands of young people away from home to begin their student journey. The idea that these youngsters could be met with such institutional disregard is sickening. This tragic story also points to a wider malaise in our society when it comes to dealing with government, businesses or large institutions. Too often human beings are treated with contempt because “the computer says no”. For some in positions of authority, red-tape and bureaucracy are more important than the people they are meant to serve. Everyone reading Ethan’s story today will be moved by his family’s plight. We can only hope it serves as a wake-up call for our universities and they will remember their first duty is to the well-being of our young people. Keir Starmer spoke with real passion at the Labour Party conference on his vision for a renewed UK based on dignity and respect. He challenged Nigel Farage over why the Reform leader does little other than list the things he doesn’t like about the country. The Prime Minister might be languishing in the polls but he is at least honest on the challenges facing Britain. But voters will not thank him if prices continue to rise and households still feel the effect of a cost of a living crisis that has dragged on for years. Today, the cost of a typical household bill for gas and electricity will go up two per cent due to a price cap rise. That comes on the top of stubbornly high inflation on food and household items. Labour swept to power promising to bring bills down – but they are still going up. The Prime Minister must realise talk is cheap – even if our household bills are not.