Solving the student loan 'scam' episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 6, 2026 · 39 MIN

Solving the student loan 'scam'

from The Rundown by PoliticsHome · host PoliticsHome

This week we’re delving into the world of student finance, after a long-simmering row over the loan system for how graduates pay back the cost of their tuition exploded into the mainstream, with accusations successive governments had presided over a "scam" and a "mis-selling scandal".A growing cohort - including many new MPs - who went to university in the past decade are reckoning with the fact the plan two repayment scheme means they now owe more than they borrowed to go to university, despite years of regular payments.With host Alain Tolhurst to discuss what the government can do to mitigate this rising feeling of intergenerational unfairness, as some graduates face huge marginal tax rates, are the Labour MP Chris Curtis, alongside Kate Ogden, senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Dani Payne, head of education and social policy at the Social Market Foundation, and Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor of The House magazine.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

This week we’re delving into the world of student finance, after a long-simmering row over the loan system for how graduates pay back the cost of their tuition exploded into the mainstream, with accusations successive governments had presided over a "scam" and a "mis-selling scandal".A growing cohort - including many new MPs - who went to university in the past decade are reckoning with the fact the plan two repayment scheme means they now owe more than they borrowed to go to university, despite years of regular payments.With host Alain Tolhurst to discuss what the government can do to mitigate this rising feeling of intergenerational unfairness, as some graduates face huge marginal tax rates, are the Labour MP Chris Curtis, alongside Kate Ogden, senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Dani Payne, head of education and social policy at the Social Market Foundation, and Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor of The House magazine.To sign up for our newsletters click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

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Solving the student loan 'scam'

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This week we’re delving into the world of student finance, after a long-simmering row over the loan system for how graduates pay back the cost of their tuition exploded into the mainstream, with accusations successive governments had presided over a...

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