Abolish interest charges on student loans
Cancel interest charges on all student loans. We believe placing this burden on the backs of those that want to succeed in life is abhorrent and short-sighted. These charges penalise our brightest and best, the very people that contribute the most to society.
Signatures
22,375
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 22,375/100,000
- 23 MAR 2026Government respondedDepartment for EducationGovernment reply
Student loans are heavily subsidised by government. To be fair to taxpayers and low earners, those who financially benefit should contribute to the cost. Adding interest to loans is one way to do this
Read full response - 02 MAR 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 11 FEB 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Paul Kane
Background
Charging interest on student loans burdens graduates with growing debt, often £50k+ while many never fully repay due to income-contingent terms.
We believe that abolishing interest would make higher education truly accessible, without a lifelong financial penalty and also boost social mobility and productivity by freeing young people from debt drag. Education benefits society; taxpayers already subsidise it—we want to remove this unfair tax on ambition.