Funds to study abroad

SIR – Nick Timothy calls for British students to have a single financial entitlement, held by the individual, to be spent “whenever they wish on whatever kind of tertiary education they choose” (Comment, August 17).

The first part of that quote ought to read “whenever and wherever they wish”. If there is excellent education available abroad, why should our students be prevented from taking advantage of it? If the reason is that EU rules would require us to bankrupt ourselves by offering similar entitlements to any student from anywhere in the EU, then the sooner Brexit is completed, the better. David J Critchley

Winslow, Buckinghamshire

SIR – While he makes some strong points, Mr Timothy fails to grasp the essentials of student loans.

Because of the exorbitant interest rates applying from the first loan date, the debt at the end of three years’ study will be £50,000-£60,000, and when repayments start it will have risen to £70,000-£80,000. At the end of 30 years, the typical unpaid debt will be £200,000-£300,000, all to be recovered from the Treasury (that is to say, the taxpayer).

Why does the Government insist upon ever-increasing interest rates, which benefit no one? Vernon Evenson

Didcot, Oxfordshire