18
Not Addressed
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring undergraduate tuition fees retain their real-term value by...
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring undergraduate tuition fees retain their real-term value by raising fees in line with forecast inflation. However, maintenance loans are tied to forecast inflation and in recent years forecast inflation has repeatedly been lower than actual inflation. The effect of this has been a major real-terms reduction in the value of maintenance loans which have been increased in line with those forecasts. (Conclusion, Paragraph 104)
Government Response Summary
The government explains that legislative and Student Loans Company timetables prevent 'in-year' changes to address inflation, but does not commit to any action to address the underlying issue of real-terms reduction in maintenance loan value.
Government Response
Not Addressed
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The timetables - for both legislation and the Student Loans Company’s delivery cycle - for approving annual changes to tuition fee limits and student support prevent us from making ’in-year’ changes to address increases or reductions in inflation.
Source
Committee
Education Committee
Report
9th Report - Higher Education and Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Students
12 May 2026
HC 807
Addressee Bodies
Department for Education
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.2 yrs
Report published
12 May 2026