New HEPI Debate Paper: Bring it to the top of the in-tray: with 20 years of student loans in the bank, now is the moment to debate a graduate tax

In HEPI’s latest report, Bahram Bekhradnia, HEPI’s founder and President makes the case that with 20 years of student loans in the bank, now is the moment to open the debate on a graduate tax.

It argues that the current student finance system is widely regarded as dysfunctional, noting there is little consensus on what a feasible alternative looks like. With much of the debate to date focusing on interest rates, write-off and repayment thresholds, it argues now is the time for a wholesale re-evaluation of the system.  

With more than 20 cohorts of students passed through the current loan and repayment arrangements, the cost of transition has been substantially reduced, if not eliminated, providing this window for debate.

Discussing issues around transparency, fairness and economic viability, the report starts this discussion by arguing for a simpler approach that ensures those who have benefited the most, pay the most.

Commenting on the launch of the report, Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Strategy at HEPI, said:

There is widespread concern about how higher education is funded in England, yet there is no consensus on how to fix it. HEPI does not take a position on which funding model is best; our role is to provide ideas and evidence to spark debate. Bahram Bekhradnia’s paper does exactly that. It argues the old objections to a graduate tax have not stood the test of time, and that an idea long dismissed deserves a second look.

Click hear to read the full press release and find a download link to the full debate paper.