What Happened
The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and London Economics have published a report modeling proposed reforms for higher education funding in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections scheduled for 7 May 2026. The report assesses the impact of various policy options, including maintaining Plan 2 student loans, reducing maintenance grants for Welsh students studying elsewhere in the UK, and removing loan interest rates while extending the repayment period to 45 years.
Why It Matters
This analysis is significant as it provides insights into potential manifesto commitments from leading political parties in Wales, including Labour, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK. These parties have dominated opinion polls in Wales for the past two years. The report focuses on the 2025/26 cohort of first-year Welsh-domiciled undergraduate students and evaluates metrics such as spending on student loans and expected lifetime loan repayments.
What’s Next
As the political landscape evolves leading up to the elections, the findings from this report will likely influence party manifestos and voter decisions. Stakeholders in higher education and students are encouraged to stay informed about these developments as they could significantly impact funding structures and student financial support in Wales.
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