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UK Treasury Launches Inquiry into Student Loan Fairness

3/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Treasury Committee, chaired by Dame Meg Hillier, has launched an inquiry into the student loan system to assess the fairness of freezing the Plan 2 threshold at £29,385 for 2027–2030.
The measure could burden younger borrowers, as many graduates already carry debt averaging over £50,000.
The inquiry invites graduates to participate via an online survey to share experiences with loan repayments and their financial impact.

History

Historical Context

In 2012, the UK government raised tuition fees to £9,000 annually, leading to average graduate debts exceeding £50,000. This reform sparked widespread protests and political backlash, contributing to the Conservative Party's loss of majority in the 2017 election. Currently, the Treasury Committee, led by Dame Meg Hillier, is reviewing the implications of freezing the repayment threshold, which may further strain young borrowers' finances.

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Story summary

The Treasury Committee, chaired by Dame Meg Hillier, has launched an inquiry into the student loan system to assess the fairness of freezing the Plan 2 threshold at £29,385 for 2027–2030.
The measure could burden younger borrowers, as many graduates already carry debt averaging over £50,000.
The inquiry invites graduates to participate via an online survey to share experiences with loan repayments and their financial impact.

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