Tories would cut student loans for non-UK nationals

The Conservatives have announced plans to tighten access to student loans for non-UK nationals – a policy they say would save the taxpayer £900 million a year.

About 20% of student loans go to non-UK nationals, up from about 10% in 2015, the party said.

Ahead of its annual conference which starts on Sunday, the Tories said other nationalities have a repayment rate significantly lower than UK nationals.

The proposals would also block EU Settled Status (EUSS) claims, a system the party said is being “abused”.

Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith said: “Labour is handing out £4 billion a year in student loans to foreign nationals, and barely half of it is ever paid back.

“Instead of stopping it, Shabana Mahmood is still waving through tens of thousands of new settlement claims five years after the deadline.

“A Conservative government will turn off the tap and save £900 million a year.”

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said: “Too many people are abusing the EU Settlement Scheme and the student loan system.

“We want to welcome international students to our universities, but not at the expense of British students and taxpayers.

“Repayment rates are lower among overseas borrowers, leaving British taxpayers to pick up the bill. This is not fair.”

Published: 04/10/2026 by Radio NewsHub