Starmer urged to overhaul ‘unfair’ student loans system

PoliticsPersonal Finance
12 Mar 2026 • 2:44 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The Commons Treasury committee has launched an inquiry into student loans and graduate taxation, prompted by widespread dissatisfaction among graduates with the current system.
  • Chaired by Labour's Dame Meg Hillier, the inquiry will assess the fairness of the loan terms and their impact on graduates' financial planning.
  • Key concerns include graduates accumulating over £50,000 in debt and the government's decision to freeze repayment thresholds, which forces many to pay more.
  • MPs will gather evidence on the reasonableness of repayment terms and their proportionality within the broader context of graduates' marginal tax rates.
  • An online survey is available for individuals over 16 to contribute their experiences, with all evidence submissions due to the committee by 14 April.

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