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Written question asked by Lord Hain (Labour) on Thursday, 18 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 2 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Graduates: Taxation

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government on what basisĀ a university graduate tax would be counted against the public sector borrowing requirement.

Answer

The fiscal impact of student loans is measured by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The statistics the ONS publishes are independent, following methodologies designed in consultation with the international statistical community and in line with the European System of Accounts.

The ONS treats student loans partly as loans, since some portion will be repaid, and partly as capital transfers, since some will not.

Under this partitioned loan-transfer approach, what counts to public sector net borrowing and public sector net financial liabilities is the transfer less modified interest, the interest accruing on the loan portion.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1101
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Borrowing Graduates Public sector Taxation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk