Well done Charles Clarke! He has succeeded in causing great concern to many young people who are seriously considering not progressing to higher education. They are extremely worried about incurring even larger debts than those they had expected, due to the current rules for student loans and payment of fees.
All the young people I have met say that they do not want to start their working lives saddled with debts which may take years to pay off at a time when they will also need loans to buy cars and accommodation for that important first graduate job.
The removal of upfront fees is not an incentive to them: they see only years of debt, from accumulated top-up and higher fees and loans for living expenses, stretching out in front of them.
Carole Williams
Woodlands Low Common
Swardeston
Norwich
