New figures show top-up fees causing student debt problems

Two new surveys on student debt levels point towards Labour’s top-up fees increasing student debts:

Another survey of 2,000 for Push.co.uk predicts those who began courses last year will owe nearly £17,500 by the time they graduate, up 24% on 2006.

It says this year’s freshers will owe up to £21,500 when they graduate, with some of them struggling financially.

Editor of the Push.co.uk survey Johnny Rich said: “This is the first time we have had genuine figures about what top-up fees have meant.”

He claimed the figures meant the government’s financial support for students paying variable fees was not working.

“This increase is not just another rise. Some students are facing real financial hardship.”

More details over on the BBC.