Student Loans

Debate between Alistair Strathern and Simon Hoare

Wednesday 18th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hoare]

No, I will not give way; one can be a useful idiot only so often in an afternoon. I say to the Minister: whether it is at the front of the queue, the back of the queue or the middle of the queue, this is an issue that cannot be put aside any longer.

[Alistair Strathern (Hitchin) (Lab)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way on that point?

[Simon Hoare]

I am just about to give up and I will not get an extra minute. I like the hon. Gentleman very much and in ordinary circumstances I would, but I will not.

We need some urgency on this matter, and I urge some cross-party working to make sure that all our constituents, whether urban or rural, and whether first, second, third or fourth-generation university students, get the very best deal and start in life that they can as they begin their working lives.