Universities UK responds to the Treasury Select Committee’s report on student loans

We agree with the Committee that the costs of undergraduate higher education should be shared more equally between graduates and the state, since both benefit. We strongly support the government’s recent decision to allow the undergraduate fee in England to rise in line with inflation, but it should also address the erosion of upfront teaching grants per student, which in real terms, have declined by 24% between 2012-13 and 2025-26.

“In this context it is very disappointing that the government announced a further cut in the teaching grant yesterday. This undermines good work which has been done to put university funding on a firming footing.

"The report's findings also show the importance of prospective students receiving clear, transparent guidance on the repayment terms and conditions, and how these may change.