Skidmore: Rethink fee interest for successful lifelong learning

Conservative MP says interest levels must be re-examined to encourage more flexible learning

Former universities and science minister Chris Skidmore has said leaders must address the levels of debt and interest students incur if plans for lifelong learning are to be a success.

Speaking at the launch of the Lifelong Education Commission on 19 February, a panel run by the think tank Res Publica, Skidmore said the “issue of the interest rate on student ‘loans’ must be looked at” if access to student finance is to be rolled out successfully.