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Foreign Students Borrow £4bn, Risk £1-2bn Repayment Loss

8/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Foreign nationals received £4 billion in UK student loans, about one in five of all loans.
EU citizens received most of that amount, with Romanians accounting for one in 20 first-time loans.
Conservative MP Neil O'Brien says foreign borrowers are 25 percent less likely to repay, risking £1.2-£2.2 billion a year.
Student Loans Company data show 195,000 of 239,000 foreign recipients hold settled status under the post-Brexit EU scheme.

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Story summary

Foreign nationals received £4 billion in UK student loans, about one in five of all loans.
EU citizens received most of that amount, with Romanians accounting for one in 20 first-time loans.
Conservative MP Neil O'Brien says foreign borrowers are 25 percent less likely to repay, risking £1.2-£2.2 billion a year.
Student Loans Company data show 195,000 of 239,000 foreign recipients hold settled status under the post-Brexit EU scheme.