1 Lord Grabiner debates involving the Department for Work and Pensions

University Student Finance

Lord Grabiner Excerpts
Tuesday 30th June 2026

(3 weeks, 6 days ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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I am sure that the noble Baroness will have seen the data last week from the IFS using LEO data. It identifies those courses which are most likely to bring a positive return for students. It is worth remembering that, after the repayment of student debt, the majority of students will receive throughout their lifetime a positive return from going to university. The information published last week was clear about which courses would be less likely to provide that positive return. That does not mean that there may be no reasons for taking those courses, but it is information that students can use. Also, through Discover Uni and working with UCAS, we will ensure that this information is more easily available to students when they are making decisions, as the noble Baroness says.

Lord Grabiner Portrait Lord Grabiner (CB)
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My Lords, can the Minister tell us what the current state of the student debt is?

Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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The current student loan book stands at £296 billion.