Government warned it faces young voter backlash over student loan reform failure
The National Union of Students (NUS) has warned that the government is “running out of time” to reform the student loans system without losing the support of young voters.
NUS, along with campaign group Organise, submitted a petition to 10 Downing Street on Monday, calling for the freeze on repayment thresholds to be reversed and interest rates to be cut.
The action coincides with the Treasury Select Committee’s investigation into student loans, amid growing controversy.
NUS president Amira Campbell issued a stark warning: “This Government risks losing many of the people who voted for it in the first place.”
He added: “It is estimated that there are five million graduates who have been affected by this and are now voters. The simple message is wake up and act because they are running out of time.”
Ms Campbell criticized central government inaction despite the committee review.
“The new consultation was set up by the Treasury Select Committee but central government has yet to agree or decide to make any changes. This is truly disgusting,” he said.
He emphasized the need for direct government decisions, arguing: “What we really need to see from central government is a decision to make changes. There shouldn’t be a need for it to do a review to go back and say the thresholds should be U-open.”
NUS represents more than seven million students.
Roxana Khan-Williams, head of organizing campaigns, highlighted the widespread public concern by highlighting the 35,000-signature petition.
“We are here to petition more than 35,000 people. The government needs to act urgently,” he said.
Ms Khan-Williams highlighted the personal impact: “I don’t have a single friend who hasn’t been touched by this, it feels very valid for so many people in our generation.”
He warned that the system could deter young people from pursuing higher education, adding that “our generation has been ignored for too long”.
