Speeches by Rigby.

“In theory it benefits all but that is, as you say, subject to the fact that those who do not earn above the payment threshold, or who do not pay the loan off over the loan period, will eventually have their loan written off. The key thing is that we made the change of capping at 6% because we took the view, in the cont…”

“The starting point on the interest rates—to partially address some of the points made by Baroness Smith—is that they are not design choices that we made. They are design choices that we inherited. Interest rates, repayment thresholds, repayment rate and the length of the repayment term—each of those parameters of the s…”

“If you look at students in each of those cohorts, you can make a case to say that the situation of people on plan 2 has elements of unfairness relative to those other generations. I do not mean in anything that I have said so far that I am unappreciative or am not acknowledging the really tough circumstances that some …”

“As I said, I have been trying to give this some really deep thought. The assessment as to fairness is multi-layered. Intergenerational fairness, when it comes to students specifically—when I think about myself as a student, I had a plan 1 loan; my situation relative to someone on plan 2 and indeed relative to my mum, w…”

“We will continue to keep everything under review, as I hope you would expect us to. As I said, we inherited a system. We can talk specifically about plan 2, the various parameters and everything that has happened, but it is not a system that, on our side, we necessarily would have designed. We would not necessarily hav…”

“No. It was a reaction to the position in the middle east: a view was taken that this was something that we could do. Taking a step back and thinking about the fairness of the system as a whole, and to be very candid with you, there are a number of things that, in an ideal, perfect world, I would like to change about it…”

“Certainly in the sense of the inherent unfairness in interest rates ticking upwards because of the situation in the middle east. As Baroness Smith said, that was the wholehearted motivation behind capping at 6%.”

“I understand, Chair, that you have asked me for a formal response, and that will be provided.”

“Again, you will have to forgive me, Mr Coghlan; I am very reluctant to get into any level of detail at all about something that is yet to be published.”

“Look, I am a huge proponent of more capital spending. Putting an extra £120 billion into capital spending is something that marks out this Government as different from the last, so this is an important consideration across the piece.”

“I am very clear that—as indeed we have been discussing in relation to student finance—the Chancellor’s view on the public finances to continue to adhere to her fiscal rules. It is important to bear that in mind when considering what may or may not happen in future.”

“You will forgive me, Chair—I keep saying you will forgive me; you have not told me that you are going to forgive me, but I hope that you will—for not wanting to delve into the subject matter of discussions. As I said, the DIP will be published in due course.”

“Buying British is an important consideration, not only in this context but, as the Chancellor has made clear, in all procurement contexts, because it is a key means by which we can support our economy domestically.”

“I think it is absolutely right that we are having discussions that go to ameliorating that problem. You are rightly questioning me on defence; I appreciate this is a really significant matter of public interest. The Chancellor has already committed to spending an additional £270 billion on defence over the course of th…”

“As I said, there are many, many discussions in this space that are ongoing. Clearly, the objective among allies is to make sure that each of the bits of kit that we have all work together, and that we are all securing the best value for money that we can. We are not currently part of the DSRB. We have talked about the …”

“As I think you know, Chair, we are currently not part of that.”

“I am happy to confirm that that we are having discussions with various parties about how we can collaborate to ensure that we are better defending and enforcing our collective security. You are absolutely right to refer to the MDM, and indeed to Finland, the Netherlands and other partners. Those discussions are ongoing…”

“When the DIP is published, all the surrounding information as to how the further money for defence will be funded will be made clear.”

“Look, it is a fair question about process and how all of this will be done, but again, I hope you will forgive me, Chair; I really do not want to get ahead of this.”

“Sorry. I am contemplating legislation to that effect.”