In this episode, Tom turns his attention to the student loan system in the UK, asking whether it is fit for purpose. You'll hear from seven Plan 2 graduates: Josh, Tom, Emily, Alex, Oli, Brie and Bee, who share their experiences of a debt that keeps growing. Tom also speaks with Ollie from Rethink Repayment, a campaign pushing the UK government to fundamentally reform the system.

Tom draws on a decade working in Higher Education, his own student loans, and field recordings from the Educate, Empower, Employ march he attended in November 2012 to tell the story of how we got here, and what needs to change.

If you have UK student loan, you can share your experience with the UK Treasury Committee via the link below. Contributions close on Tuesday 14th April. Share your student loan experience with the Treasury Committee: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nt3mHDeziEC-Xo277ASzSugWXtlS9G1OpuyhNtc2h8lURjBYV1pUQ0FKWEUzTEpUSkdCQktYRzRPUCQlQCN0PWcu

To find out more about Rethink Repayment, sign the petition, or email your MP, head to: https://www.rethinkrepayment.com/

Sign the Rethink Repayment petition: https://www.rethinkrepayment.com/sign-the-petition

If you'd like to hear more about the financial pressures facing universities, listen to Tom's previous episode on cuts at Cardiff University: https://spareathought.podbean.com/e/cuts-at-cardiff-university/

The title track for this show is "Young Shall Grow", with thanks to Afro Cluster, Magugu, and Asha Jane.

Keep up to date with Tom's work via his Substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/

Get the latest news on the podcast via the Spare a Thought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spareathoughtmedia/

You can listen to all previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://spareathought.podbean.com/

Spare a Thought is a Be the Change. Media Network production.

The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the Change. Media Network or its partners.