Nick Clegg has supported the idea of a graduate tax for university leavers, which could leave social workers out of pocket to the tune of nearly £40,000.
The deputy prime minister said this was the best way to encourage more working-class children into further education, the Daily Mail reports.
He spoke out in favour of the system after David Willetts, the universities minister, said yesterday that there should be a set number of places for students from poor backgrounds.
A 5% graduate tax could result in social workers having to pay back £37,550 - more than triple what they pay under the current tuition fee system, according to New Statesman.
Picture by Rex Features.
A graduate tax that covers all professions, including those with high vacancy rates such as social work doesn't seem like such a smart move. Especially in the current environment with caseloads becoming more unmanageable as highlighted in our survey:
http://www.liquidpersonnel.com/2010/08/11/social-work-survey-4-in-10-social-workers-have-unmanageable-caseloads/
Perhaps a more workable solution would be to grade the level of tax paid depending on the number of vacancies in the profession. Thus encouraging new students into the areas of greatest need.
Jonathan Coxon
Managing Director
Liquid Personnel