§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons student loans will not be available to applicants over 50 years of age; and if she will make a statement. [24181]
§ Mr. ForthThe loans scheme provides students with additional resources from the taxpayer in anticipation of their repaying that loan out of future earnings. Students over 50 generally do not have the same expectations of future earnings as younger people and they are more likely to have access to other sources of finance.