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The student loan repayments system will remain unchanged in Wales, despite changes in England.

Currently, anyone who began their course in September 2012 or later only pays back their loan once they start earning £27,295 annually, with a 30-year repayment term.

Changes in England would see this threshold lowered to £25,000 annually, with a 40-year repayment term for anyone starting their course in or after September 2023.

The Welsh Government’s education minister, Jeremy Miles, has confirmed Wales will be retaining the current system, not adopting the changes introduced across the border.

Mr Miles hit called the changes introduced by the UK Government as “regressive” and said they “benefit the highest earners and worsen the position of middle and lower earning graduates”.

He continued: “Though Wales’ repayment system has historically been aligned to England’s, my view is that the new system in England is not a good deal.”

He said the changes “worsen the position for middle and lower earning graduates” and disproportionately affect women.

Mr Miles added: “We certainly shouldn’t be asking teachers, nurses and social workers to pay more, while the highest earners pay less.”

While these changes are being introduced in England, Welsh students will not be affected, even if they studied at an English university.