Going well in the university's

If concern for the financial well being of others constitutes an agenda I guess I've got one. Who knew. Do I get a badge?

I'll tell you what I do know seeing as you're telling me what I know. The threshold for repayment of my sister's tuition fees is 19,000. It takes every spare bit of money she has. Because of the extortionate interest rate her repayments are barely touching the debt. She has no hope of ever saving for the deposit of a mortgage because this repayment and her rent wipe her out. It will keep her in relative poverty for the foreseeable future, maybe for her working life. That concerns me. That many others are in a similar predicament also concerns me. Apologies for having such an agenda.

 

Whilst we’re moaning about uni and student debt & fees can I join in. As grants are means tested my daughter gets three fifths of fook all because of what we earn, costs us 15k a year in rent plus contributions to her other bills, she has to work weekends and bank holidays. Her mate’s mum doesn't work her dad never has, she gets full grant so doesn't need to work every weekend or holiday, where’s the incentive to do well ? We contribute enough in tax why does my kid have to work to get through uni when the kid of a bloke who never has doesn't ( and therefore has more study time available ) ??! And BTW she’s at York and says the problem is the bars close at 10 but there’s no extra busses on to get everyone home when they’re all being turned out at the same time.

 

I have no worthwhile answer to any of that. The one consolation is that your daughter won't be straddled with debt. She probably doesn't appreciate that now and believes the situation to be extremely unfair, but it will be of benefit to her in the future. For what it's worth I believe education benefits all society and therefore we should all pay for it. I don't think you should have to foot the bill for your child, it should be a collective responsibility.

 

Juat so you know, her mate won't be getting 15 000 a year in loans. My two get full.loans and also have had jobs. Still.wouldnt come to £15 000. The expectation is that in a sliding scale, those that can afford to, top up . Every student is eligible for the basic loan (think it's about £4000) and loan for fees.

 

They're not grants though they're loans. So those from the lowest income families are getting even higher levels of debt

 

We have discussed the lower debt, we just find it frustrating that the level of loan isn't optional it’s fixed, we pay as much tax as most folk so why shouldn't we have access to the same level of funding.She’s going to work for a year next year to help fund her masters the year after, that’ll be another 10k just in course fees. I just hope all the hard work pays off and she can afford our care home bills !

 

Manchester Met - They have private security making sure the students do not leave their digs.
Leeds - theyve locked the gates so no one can escape.

Unless you behave you wont get to see your kids at Christmas.

If you dont, expect more draconian measures.

Oh and its a Criminal offence as of today for your little cherub to come home from a halls thats self isolating...

 

I think we're heading for the Covid-19 Revolt.

 

if only these measures were scrutinised properly...

But yes I agree. Talking to a landlord while having my sunday pint. To paraphrase:-

The mask rule is ********. Akin to having a dedicated pissing section in the swimming pool.
The curfew is ********.
The lack of supporting evidence for the new measures

Said the curfew wasnt a big issue as they never had custom that late anyway barring the odd straggler but the masks. One member of staff - no mask required. Two members, they both have to be masked up and its horrific wearing one running about serving everyone in a ten hour day.

Said takings were down compared to the previous week.

This isnt a chain pub owned by your Brexit champion but a small bar run by local people. who get to take the brunt of it financially.

 

You put your lips to the pint pot and don't wear a mask whilst seated at your table. The wearing of gloves is optional PPE and the bar staff touch the glasses before cleaning them. You're right it's ballax.

 

I have sympathy for the pub industry but sectors like theatres, night clubs etc cant even open.. shop workers have been wearing masks all the time too.

 

Mother in law went to the local on Saturday afternoon and said you have to wait until they get to your table to take your order and your money off you. Due to the delay in service people were buying in bulk. Three pints at a time (for one person).

 

Same if you go for a cuppa.

And yet people still want hard faster lockdown - well according to Yougov polls.

They ought to rephrase the question.

 

You drink more with table service.

YOu go out with the lads in March. you spend as much time at the bar drinking.

You go out now and you get 2/3 down your jar and they are asking if you want another.

 

The interest rates make no difference to the monthly repayment figure (unless she’d have already paid her fees off if it wasn’t for that interest. Her rent will be far higher than any student loan she is paying off. I don’t like student loans as much as anyone but you’re portraying them differently from reality.

 

I never said the interest rate made a difference to monthly repayments. I said because it's so high her monthly repayments aren't reducing the debt. Of course rent is higher, but everyone pays that, the loan repayment takes up the surplus which means she'll never be able to save for a deposit for a mortgage to get out of paying rent. And I've given a direct example of someone's experience, that is reality.

 

You’re right I misread what you wrote, missing the full stop and completely changing what you put.

Think we will have to agree to disagree on this, the loan is designed not to disadvantage poorer earning adults. It’s not a perfect system but it’s not as bad as some folk make out.