[Part II]
Higher Education Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North, Labour)
A few minutes ago, I warned the Minister against reading into my brevity in moving the amendment, which is imposed by the time constraints and the need to allow everyone to speak who wants to, that it is trivial. The amendment is probably as important as any that the Committee has considered, not because of the masterful drafting, but because of its symbolic meaning, not least to my hon. Friends in and outside the Committee.
The amendment deals with the serious question of where the income threshold for the repayment of student loans should be. The threshold now stands at £15,980 or so, which many colleagues think is relatively low. I listened to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie) talk persuasively about postmen, which is an occupation dear to the Minister's heart, and people with a second income coming into the family, who are by no means wealthy. Because of the way in which tapers operate, as they must in all systems relating to any sort of benefit, families just above the threshold could face quite a sudden taper.