Student Loan System

Lord Woodley Excerpts

Tuesday 10th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness and of course I will write to her, but I emphasise to the House that any remaining balance after 30 years is cancelled. No debt passes to family members or any descendants: that is something perhaps we have lost a bit of sight of today. I am happy to provide the information she requests, but it is imperative that universities step up to the plate and demonstrate the quality and outcomes of the education that they provide.

[Lord Woodley (Lab)]

My Lords, as we all know, there are no university tuition fees in Scotland and across most of Europe, while in England it is completely different. The average student loan repayment scheme at the moment in Scotland is £18,000 while in England it is £53,000, and it is not disloyal to ask my Government whether we think that balance is right. Does the Minister think we could do more to assist English students during this very difficult period?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

Of course, it is always instructive to compare different systems and work out the detail of this. Tuition fees—I am deliberately looking at the Benches opposite—have always been controversial. Having stood for Parliament in a seat with a predominantly student population and not been successful, I have some personal insight into this. However, we are where we are. We have a lot to learn from the experience of the last 14 or 15 years. Let us look at it calmly and sensibly, but keep the needs of our young people at the forefront of our minds.