Posted: Sun 14th May 2023

Student Loan interest rate capped at 7.1% by Welsh Government

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Sunday, May 14th, 2023

Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language has detailed a further cap on student loan interest rates. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Yesterday the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise the base rate to 4.5%, the 12th consecutive increase. ‌ ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Minister said, “The Welsh Government must ensure that interest rates on student loans do not exceed the prevailing market rate ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We have acted several times in the past two years to cap the rate on student loans to protect students. Most recently, I made an announcement on 8 February 2023 to confirm a cap at 6.9% for another three months from 1 March 2023. These caps were also announced by UK Government for English students. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“As interest rates remain high, the rate on loans taken out by undergraduate students since 2012, and by postgraduate students, will be capped at 7.1% between 1 June 2023 and 31 August 2023. Further rate caps may be applied if the prevailing market rate continues to be below student loan interest rates after that date. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Changes to interest rates do not affect monthly student loan repayments, which are charged as a fixed proportion of income. Loan repayments are income contingent. Students repay their loan only if they earn above a threshold, and remaining debts are written off after thirty years. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

He added, “Living costs should never be a barrier to studying at university, which is why the Welsh Government provides the most generous living costs grants in the UK. Welsh students have less to repay on average than their English peers. The Welsh Government also provides a debt write-off of up to £1,500 for each borrower entering repayment, a scheme unique in the UK.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: [email protected] Latest News

  • Connah’s Quay: University of Chester billboard artwork about Wales’s highest mountain goes on display
  • Local MP Mark Tami honoured with lifetime award for stem cell Advocacy
  • Online grooming crimes in Wales more than double since offence first came into force

  • More...

    Connah’s Quay: University of Chester billboard artwork about Wales’s highest mountain goes on display

    News

    Local MP Mark Tami honoured with lifetime award for stem cell Advocacy

    News

    Online grooming crimes in Wales more than double since offence first came into force

    News

    Stay safe this Bonfire Night, urges Welsh Ambulance Service

    News

    Social media posts by leader of Welsh Conservatives ‘brought Senedd into disrepute’

    News

    Ombudsman for Wales urges councils to enhance support for unpaid carers

    News

    Hamilton McBride Electric Blankets Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

    News

    Information Commissioner rules against Flintshire Council’s refusal to release FOI data

    News

    Police issue warning after keyless car theft in Shotton

    News