Student Loan Interest Rates Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Hampton
Main Page: Lord Hampton (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)Department Debates - View all Lord Hampton's debates with the Department for Education
(7 months, 1 week ago)
Lords ChamberI understand why the noble Baroness raises this point, and I am aware of the concerns around affordability. We have continued to increase the maximum loans and grants for living costs each year, with the most support going to students from the lowest-income families, and benefits for lone parents and disabled students. We have made wider cost of living investments as a Government and, in addition, have made £260 million of student premium and mental health funding available for the 2023-24 academic year.
My Lords, as ever, I declare my interest as a teacher. Does the Minister agree with me that this is part of a wider conversation that too many students these days are being sold the dream of a degree, when they would be much better suited to the route of education within a workplace or an apprenticeship?