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.

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/social-work-blog/2010/08/graduate-tax-could-cost-social.html