HM loan arranger

The Government's plans to privatise 바카라사이트 student loans scheme were confirmed in 바카라사이트 Queen's Speech this week. Her Majesty said legislation would be introduced to enable students to choose between private and public suppliers of subsidised loans.

The announcement means that ministers have opted for running a privately-backed scheme alongside 바카라사이트 existing one. Such a move could take up to Pounds 1 billion out of 바카라사이트 public sector borrowing requirement from 바카라사이트 next academic year. The Department for Education and Employment said that 바카라사이트 aim was for most loans to come from 바카라사이트 private sector eventually.

The new scheme might involve reimbursement of private lenders by 바카라사이트 Treasury making up 바카라사이트 difference between commercial rates of interest and a fixed rate charged to students. Such incentives are likely to be included in proposals expected to be put before 바카라사이트 banks and building societies by 바카라사이트 DFEE within 바카라사이트 next few weeks.

DFEE officials have been working frantically to develop a scheme which will prove attractive to private lenders, but, as The 바카라 사이트 추천S reported last week, bank chiefs are demanding high levels of security and good commercial rewards.

Figures released by 바카라사이트 DFEE on Monday showed that Pounds 1,9 million is outstanding since 바카라사이트 student loans scheme was launched in 1990. Of 435,000 graduates with loans, 204,000 were up to date with instalments, 44,000 were in arrears and 187,000 were earning too little. Of eligible students 55 per cent had received one, compared to a take-up rate of 28 per cent in 1990. The average value of loans in 1994/95 was Pounds 1,040, compared with Pounds 390 five years ago.

The plans to privatise 바카라사이트 scheme were condemned by 바카라사이트 National Union of Students. Jim Murphy, NUS president, said: "We find it very hard to believe that 바카라사이트 banks would wish to support or invest in such a scheme, which will be hugely unpopular with students and a costly investment."

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals said that its main concern was to change 바카라사이트 present repayment system which was "fundamentally flawed'.

The Queen also said 바카라사이트re would be legislation to reform education and training in Scotland.

The Education (Scotland) Bill will include provisions for setting up a new Scottish Qualifications Authority to take on 바카라사이트 current functions of 바카라사이트 Scottish Examination Board and 바카라사이트 Scottish Vocational Education Council.