Written question asked by Mark Prisk (Conservative) on Monday, 4 April 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, why the annual student loan repayment threshold is being increased from £10,000 to £15,000 from 1st April for graduates who commenced their studies on or after 1st September 1998.

Answer: Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills why the annual student loan repayment threshold is being increased from £10,000 to £15,000 from 1 April for graduates who commenced their studies on or after 1 September 1998. [224769] Dr. Howells: The Government's 2003 White Paper "The future of higher education" set out our proposal to raise the repayment threshold for income contingent student loans from £10,000 to £15,000 a year, as part of new arrangements for student support. The change, which takes effect from 6 April 2005, will reduce annual repayments for borrowers earning £15,000 per annum or more by £450 a year; and those with earnings under the new threshold will not be required to make repayments.

Secondary information