Plan 2 Student Loans: Repayment Terms

Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I think it is well above my pay grade to interfere in the ongoing negotiations with the EU. It is imperative that we let those negotiations take their full course, and then we will report back at the appropriate time.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

May I ask the Minister whether she accepts that the present system is unfair?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

What I will say is that the imperative, for whatever comes in, is that fairness is at the centre of what we do. We have to make sure that the question of being able to afford studying is not something that puts people off. Courses should be available to all young people, regardless of their family backgrounds. That is a principle we have to hold on to and make sure is at the centre of any discussions we have going forward.