In Hounslow, west London, a group of Year 13 students are weighing up who's got the best deal - pupils like Sonal and Maryam, who are hoping to go to university this year, or those who, like Haya, are taking gap years and starting university in September 2023.
Maryam thinks some good can come of the government's focus on ending growth of what it has called poor quality degrees.in order to receive student loans - and Sonal is particularly concerned about people who speak English as a second language. The government says its plans would mean a student enrolling on a three-year course at the end of next year could see their debt reduced by up to £11,500 - if and when they earn £25,000.
These high earners already pay off their loans in full, but currently pay interest of up to 3% plus the RPI after university. That will fall to just RPI, for all students and graduates.So while this will reduce the bill to taxpayers from unpaid loans, it carries political risk for a governmentIn turn, that creates a potential space for Labour to reframe its policies around tuition fees and maintenance grants, to appeal to future students.
Meanwhile Deans and Chancellors are earning half a million a year they should hang their heads in shame.