Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Young People’s Social Mobility: Student Finance Rules

Monday 28 November 2022 · 3 questions

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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Patricia Gibson questioned the potential effect of changes to student finance rules on young people's social mobility.
  • The response stated that disadvantaged 18-year-olds are now 82% more likely to enter full-time higher education compared to 2010.
  • David Evennett welcomed the Secretary of State to her new role and supported reforms for a fairer student loan repayment system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Context

The question arises from concerns about changes to student finance rules and their impact on young people's opportunities.

Question

What assessment have you made of the potential effect of changes to student finance rules on young people's social mobility?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

We believe that anyone who wants and can benefit should have access to world-class higher education. Since taking over from Labour, disadvantaged 18-year-olds are now 82% more likely to enter full-time higher education compared with 021 versus 2010. Our reforms will make student loans sustainable and fairer for graduates and taxpayers, and help boost learning across a lifetime. A full equality impact assessment of the changes has been conducted and published on 24 February.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment specifically requested is not directly addressed; instead, general statements about access to higher education are provided with no direct link to social mobility impacts from finance rule changes.

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Education
Context

The question stems from the Chancellor's autumn statement not mentioning students, while statistics show many are struggling financially.

Question

In his autumn statement, the Chancellor spoke for nearly an hour but failed to mention students once. Three in 10 students are skipping lectures to save money and a quarter have taken on new debt due to the cost of living crisis. Why is the Government neglecting these students?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

The Chancellor did mention teaching staff, including university teachers. My Department works with the Office for Students to ensure universities support financially troubled students through a £261 million student premium fund. Universities like Leeds and Queen Mary provide additional financial aid, and Buckinghamshire New University maintains pre-pandemic accommodation rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about neglecting students in the Chancellor's statement but received a broader answer on government support mechanisms.

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Q3 David Evennett Con
Context

The question follows the Secretary of State's new role and acknowledges support for fairer student loan repayments.

Question

I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to her new role and wish her all success. I strongly support reforms making the student loan repayment system fairer, so graduates do not repay more than they borrowed in real terms. Does she agree Conservative Governments have delivered on our commitment to address student loan interest rates?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

I thank my right hon. Friend for his welcome and support of fairer repayment systems. We committed to addressing student loan interest rates and have delivered on that commitment, which should be welcomed by all Members in the House.

Answered
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