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Government responds to demands for student loan debt to be zeroed for specific industry

Government responds to demands for student loan debt to be zeroed for specific industry

There's big calls to zero student loan debt for those working in the industry

The cost of going through university is in the tens of thousands, with it setting you back more than £9,000 every year in fees alone.

Add in the cost of living and you're possibly looking at thousands more in potential rent, food, commuting, and academic books.

But calls have now been lodged to get student loan debts written off for one particular industry, according to leading voices within it.

And the Government has responded - kind of.

New polling has revealed that the majority of adults in the United Kingdom support calls for 'loan forgiveness scheme' for those working in wider public services.

In particular, there is a call for this to apply to those who use their qualifications to enter the nursing profession - with 76 percent of the public supporting the idea.

Since the polling was revealed, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said a move to write off student debt for those dedicated to nursing would be one way of 'attracting and retaining' more nurses to stay within the industry that has huge demand.

The RCN wrote to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, asking for the scheme to be introduced in his Spring Budget on Wednesday (6 March).

Jeremy Hunt.
Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire

"The burden of student debt coupled with real terms cuts in maintenance grants for nursing students act as significant disincentives for talented individuals to pursue this vital career path," the letter said.

"These financial pressures are part of a vicious cycle of understaffing, ultimately jeopardising the quality of care delivered by our NHS.

"To address this critical challenge, we urge you to seize the opportunity presented by the Spring Budget and invest in a loan forgiveness model for nursing graduates working in public services."

LADbible asked the Treasury about whether a loan forgiveness scheme would be included in Hunt's budget.

Student loans are a big financial commitment.
Getty Stock Images

In response, a Government spokesperson declined to say whether it would or wouldn't.

What they did do was draw reference on current funding in place to support the nursing industry at the point of training.

A Government spokesperson told LADbible: “Nurses play a vital role in the NHS by providing high-quality, compassionate and safe care and there would not be an NHS without them.

“To support them through their studies, nurses can access a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS through the Learning Support Fund, and qualified nurses received a 5% pay rise last year as well as two additional bonuses worth over £2,000 on average.

Nursing needs more financial incentive, industry leaders say.
PA Features Archive/Press Association Images

“It is important that we have a fair and sustainable student finance system, which is why new borrowers will not repay more than they originally borrowed when adjusted for inflation, and graduates who earn less than the repayment threshold will not have to make any repayments.

"Any outstanding debt will be written off after 40 years.”

As it stands, student debt repayments are based on income, not on the rate of interest or the amount borrowed.

If your earnings are below the repayment threshold for whatever plan you are on, you will not be required to make any repayments.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Education, Money, Cost of Living, NHS, Health, Jobs