Drop in student loan 'bankrupts'

Nicola Sturgeon said young people were held back by student debt

The number of student loan borrowers in Scotland who declared themselves bankrupt fell last year.

Figures from the Student Loans Company (SLC) showed 677 borrowers declared bankruptcy in 2005 - down from the all-time high of 811 the previous year.

But the Scottish National Party (SNP) said the figure was still too high and reinforced the case for grants.

The Scottish Executive said student loans were repayable on affordable terms, with amounts linked to income.

Last month, the SNP's deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon, announced plans for £100m funding package to help eliminate debts and reintroduce student grants.

Moving to grants rather than loans would not make sense Scottish Executive

On Monday, the party will use the figures on bankruptcy to say its case has been strengthened.

A party spokesman said: "These figures reinforce the need to end tuition fees for students. It's now the case that students finish their studies with an average of £11,000 of debt around their necks.

"The SNP is committed to ending tuition fess and replacing loans with grants which will ensure that education is once again based on the ability to learn not the ability to pay."

But the executive denied there was a widespread problem and said it had taken steps to reduce student debt.

A spokesman said: "We have abolished tuition fee contributions for eligible full-time Scottish domiciled students.

"Young Student Bursaries have been introduced to reduce the level of debt which students accrue.

"From last year, the maximum annual support was increased by 11% and the parental income threshold was also increased so that many thousands more could benefit.

"Moving to grants rather than loans would not make sense. It is more expensive to provide student support in this form."