Can't count. Won't count.

The Government response to the Ofsted Childcare Register consultation contains an excellent example of the Government's Orwellian double-think.

Compare these two sentences from adjacent paragraphs, referring to the same proposal in the original consultation

52. Most respondents agreed with the arrangements...

53. 21% of respondents agreed that the requirements strike the right balance. 4% agreed strongly. 27% disagreed with the proposals. 26% disagreed strongly. 16% had no strong opinion.

Now, I know mathematical standards are falling, but surely our schools can teach that 27+26=53, and that as such most people disagree with the government's proposal.

In fact, over twice as many disagree as agree. But that would necessitate the Government changing its mind, and that was never the point of the consultation.