Student loan inquiry opens as third of graduates question degree value

A parliamentary inquiry into the student loan system has opened amid growing concerns about the value of higher education, with new figures showing one-third of graduates and the public believe university degrees are not worth the cost. MPs will hear evidence regarding the burden of student debt and the impact of interest rates on graduates' financial wellbeing. For Lead Members overseeing education and skills, these findings highlight the need to ensure young people receive balanced advice about all post-16 options. With rising scepticism about the return on investment for traditional three-year degree courses, councils may need to strengthen promotion of alternative pathways including apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and T-levels that offer different routes into employment without the associated debt burden. The inquiry's outcomes could significantly shape future policy on student finance and university funding. Local authorities should monitor developments closely, as changes to the loans system may affect how families in their areas view higher education and could influence school sixth form provision, careers guidance and the local skills agenda.