Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the equitability of changes to student loan repayment terms for borrowers who took out Plan 2 loans on the understanding that repayment thresholds would increase in line with average earnings.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government recognises that the student finance system we inherited is not working as fairly or effectively as it should.
This government increased the Plan 2 repayment threshold in 2025 for the first time since 2021 and increased it again to £29,385 on 6 April 2026. The threshold will remain at this level for three years from April 2027 until April 2030, at which point it will increase annually in line with inflation. The department will publish an equalities impact assessment alongside the legislation implementing the Plan 2 repayment and interest threshold freeze. This will include the impact on lifetime repayments and other borrower impacts.
We have also capped maximum interest rates on Plan 2 student loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, protecting students and graduates from the risk of temporary increases in inflation causing higher interest to accrue on their loan balances.
The government continues to keep the student finance system under review to ensure it remains fair, protects lower and middle earners through income-contingent repayments, and balances the interests of students, graduates and taxpayers.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered reforming interest rates on Plan 2 student loans to prevent outstanding balances increasing despite borrowers making regular repayments.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government recognises that the student finance system we inherited is not working as fairly or effectively as it should.
This government increased the Plan 2 repayment threshold in 2025 for the first time since 2021 and increased it again to £29,385 on 6 April 2026. The threshold will remain at this level for three years from April 2027 until April 2030, at which point it will increase annually in line with inflation. The department will publish an equalities impact assessment alongside the legislation implementing the Plan 2 repayment and interest threshold freeze. This will include the impact on lifetime repayments and other borrower impacts.
We have also capped maximum interest rates on Plan 2 student loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, protecting students and graduates from the risk of temporary increases in inflation causing higher interest to accrue on their loan balances.
The government continues to keep the student finance system under review to ensure it remains fair, protects lower and middle earners through income-contingent repayments, and balances the interests of students, graduates and taxpayers.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed freeze on Plan 2 student loan repayment thresholds on graduates earning below £50,000 annually.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government recognises that the student finance system we inherited is not working as fairly or effectively as it should.
This government increased the Plan 2 repayment threshold in 2025 for the first time since 2021 and increased it again to £29,385 on 6 April 2026. The threshold will remain at this level for three years from April 2027 until April 2030, at which point it will increase annually in line with inflation. The department will publish an equalities impact assessment alongside the legislation implementing the Plan 2 repayment and interest threshold freeze. This will include the impact on lifetime repayments and other borrower impacts.
We have also capped maximum interest rates on Plan 2 student loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, protecting students and graduates from the risk of temporary increases in inflation causing higher interest to accrue on their loan balances.
The government continues to keep the student finance system under review to ensure it remains fair, protects lower and middle earners through income-contingent repayments, and balances the interests of students, graduates and taxpayers.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the combined financial impact on graduates of freezing income tax thresholds and Plan 2 student loan repayment thresholds.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
At Budget 2025, the Government set out to protect funding for the NHS and other public services whilst reducing the national debt. The Government asked everyone to contribute toward this by maintaining personal tax thresholds at their current levels until April 2031.
At that time, the Government published estimates of the impact of maintaining income tax thresholds, including the number of additional taxpayers expected to be brought into the higher rate of Income Tax, in the accompanying Tax Information and Impact Note, published 26 November 2025.
For the financial impact of the Plan 2 repayment threshold freeze, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 September 2026 in response to Question UIN 25214.
The Government will continue to keep the student loan system under review to ensure it is fair to students and sustainable for taxpayers.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to retain responsible landlords in the private rented sector.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9826 on 24 June 2026
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Renters' Rights Act, EPC Band C requirements and licensing on the supply of privately rented homes in university cities.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department has made no such specific assessment.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the ecological status of the River Soar and its tributaries in Leicester and Leicestershire; what steps are being taken to tackle the principal sources of pollution in that catchment; and what targets and timescales have been set for improving water bodies that are not achieving good ecological status.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The River Soar catchment currently has a target to achieve good ecological status by 2027. Pollution sources include sewage discharges, agricultural runoff, and urban drainage. Activities including river restoration, agricultural measures, and water company investment is underway to improve water quality and support good ecological status.
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research into the diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes of PANS and PANDAS her Department is currently supporting through the National Institute for Health and Care Research; and if she will take steps to encourage further applications in this area.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.
Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.
Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.
There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.
Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:
https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.
Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.
Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.
There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.
Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:
https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/
Asked by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to collect data on the number of children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS in England.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.
Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.
Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.
There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.
Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:
https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/