Ogilvy: student debt relief ‘a welcome first step’

United Future education spokesperson Bernie Ogilvy is pleased the Government has listened to United Future’s urging and has begun the process of easing the huge debt burden on tertiary students.

Today’s Budget says the parental income thresholds that students under 25 are assessed against are going to be lifted.

Mr Ogilvy said “Currently, those students with a combined parental income of under $28,080 get a full living allowance of between $110 and $137 a week - this lower limit will now be raised to $33,696.

“From the low point of $28,080, the scheme abates until $50,572 when eligibility ends - this outer threshold will now be raised to $62,148.

“Furthermore, these limits will be inflation adjusted every year as the current thresholds haven't changed since 1992.”

Mr Ogilvy said these measures were a good starting point, but a great deal more needs to be done to remove the debt barriers to more New Zealanders progressing through the tertiary education system.

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