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Government throws out student loans petition Government throws out student loans petition
(2 months later)
A petition opposing a retrospective rise in the cost of student loans that obtained 120,000 signatures in just a few days has been rejected by the government.A petition opposing a retrospective rise in the cost of student loans that obtained 120,000 signatures in just a few days has been rejected by the government.
Campaigner Alex True, who began the petition while doing his finals at Durham University, said he was “disappointed and disheartened” at the government’s response.Campaigner Alex True, who began the petition while doing his finals at Durham University, said he was “disappointed and disheartened” at the government’s response.
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The petition focused on a promise made in 2010 that from April 2017 the student loans repayment threshold of £21,000 would be upped each year with average earnings.The petition focused on a promise made in 2010 that from April 2017 the student loans repayment threshold of £21,000 would be upped each year with average earnings.
It argued that “the government has now backtracked on this promise, freezing the threshold at £21,000. Graduates will now pay more on their student loans”.It argued that “the government has now backtracked on this promise, freezing the threshold at £21,000. Graduates will now pay more on their student loans”.
But the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said in a statement posted on the petition site: “Freezing the repayment threshold ensures that the student support system remains affordable to the taxpayer and all students can access a university education, irrespective of their ability to pay.But the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said in a statement posted on the petition site: “Freezing the repayment threshold ensures that the student support system remains affordable to the taxpayer and all students can access a university education, irrespective of their ability to pay.
“This government is ensuring higher education is open to more people than ever before, and application rates from disadvantaged young people seeking to go to university are currently at record levels. But higher education and further education must remain affordable to the taxpayer.”“This government is ensuring higher education is open to more people than ever before, and application rates from disadvantaged young people seeking to go to university are currently at record levels. But higher education and further education must remain affordable to the taxpayer.”
True said: “Obviously I am very disappointed with the manner of the response. It failed to address that making retrospective changes to a loan agreement without the consent from both parties should not be possible.True said: “Obviously I am very disappointed with the manner of the response. It failed to address that making retrospective changes to a loan agreement without the consent from both parties should not be possible.
“In the consultation process the government completely ignored the consultation responses, which opposed making retrospective changes.”“In the consultation process the government completely ignored the consultation responses, which opposed making retrospective changes.”
But BIS said: “All responses to the consultation were considered carefully in the wider context of the detailed analysis of impacts, including on the public finances.”But BIS said: “All responses to the consultation were considered carefully in the wider context of the detailed analysis of impacts, including on the public finances.”
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True argues that during the consultation it was made clear to ministers that the change to terms and conditions came after borrowers had made their original decision, and that such changes would not be permitted by commercial lenders.True argues that during the consultation it was made clear to ministers that the change to terms and conditions came after borrowers had made their original decision, and that such changes would not be permitted by commercial lenders.
He added that it sets a precedent for the likelihood of further retrospective changes.He added that it sets a precedent for the likelihood of further retrospective changes.
Petitions that garner 100,000 approvals can lead to a debate in parliament about the issue. However, a debate is not guaranteed and are decided by the parliamentary petitions committee rather than government departments or ministers.Petitions that garner 100,000 approvals can lead to a debate in parliament about the issue. However, a debate is not guaranteed and are decided by the parliamentary petitions committee rather than government departments or ministers.