Plan 2 Student Loans: Repayment Terms

Lord Watts Excerpts

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

What I will say is that the imperative, for whatever comes in, is that fairness is at the centre of what we do. We have to make sure that the question of being able to afford studying is not something that puts people off. Courses should be available to all young people, regardless of their family backgrounds. That is a principle we have to hold on to and make sure is at the centre of any discussions we have going forward.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, is the Minister as amazed as I am that, after 14 years of the previous Government, when they introduced no changes and left us with a mess, they are now coming up with policies to reduce costs for students? Why did they not do it for 14 years?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

My noble friend is absolutely right. The student loan situation is one we inherited from the Opposition. I think they have questions to answer about the approach they took. We will not take any lessons on how to do this. We are determined to move forward and do it properly on behalf of the young people of this country.