Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Student Finance: Students from Low-income Backgrounds

Monday 20 January 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Zarah Sultana asked about the impact of the current student finance system on students from low-income families.
  • The response noted that students do not start repaying their loans until they earn 25,725 annually, rising to 26,575 in April 2020.
  • The number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds attending university has increased by 62% since 2009.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Zarah Sultana Your Party Coventry South
Education Benefits & Welfare
Context

Discusses the tripling of tuition fees in 2010 and personal student debt.

Question

What assessment has been made regarding the effect of the current student finance system on students coming from low-income families, considering the increase in personal debt as highlighted by Zarah Sultana?

Answer from Chris Skidmore (Secretary of State for Education)

Students pay nothing back until they earn £25,725 a year, increasing to £26,575 from April 2020. The number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds going to university has risen by 62% since 2009. We are committed to looking at interest rates in future as part of the Conservative manifesto's proposals.

Answered
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