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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis should fully update his student finance advice?

35 replies

trendbender · 01/07/2022 11:00

I know Martin Lewis writes various blogs and news articles, but the main Student Finance articles on his MSE website is here: www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes/ (last updated June 17th 2022)
... and his infamous fee calculator is here: www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-finance-calculator/
Both pages refer to student loan interest as currently 4.5%, but for students starting in Sept 2022 it will be 7.3%. Graduate starting salaries are also increasing with high inflation. These increases might lead to different decisions about whether to pay upfront or not (for those that can afford it). But he isn't updating his website to reflect that. I realise a different repayment model will be introduced in Sep '23, so he will probably do an update for that. But Sep '22 starters need accurate information now.

Aibu to think he should be updating it for Sep'22 starters?

OP posts:
Abra1d1 · 01/07/2022 11:02

He has been pretty busy with fuel and other money issues in the last few months!

ColadhSamh · 01/07/2022 11:18

Go on to MSE and notify them. Mumsnet can't do anything about it

ComDummings · 01/07/2022 11:19

I’m sure he will do so, tweet him

RedCarsGoFaster · 01/07/2022 11:25

I assume you also saw the massive warning on that first page? See screenshot attached.

And the link to the new scheme? www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/02/student-finance-loans-changes-education/

Instead of bitching on here about a free service, why not email MSE (he doesn't write it all himself BTW, there's a team doing it with him these days) to ask if they are aware of the changes?

To think Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis should fully update his student finance advice?
stayingpositiveifpossible · 01/07/2022 12:01

Even with the increase in interest rates Martin makes the point that it is not worth it to 'pay up front'.

Would agree Martin is a hero in my book and very genuiune. I'm sure he sometimes wishes there were two of him given the economic crisis - I noted that he had been rejected for a peership.

Personally I think he would make a fab chancellor as he is real about money.

Yes cut the guy some slack!

lightand · 01/07/2022 12:02

I thought his previous advice, on recent student loan changes, was muddled too.

Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 12:49

RedCarsGoFaster · 01/07/2022 11:25

I assume you also saw the massive warning on that first page? See screenshot attached.

And the link to the new scheme? www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/02/student-finance-loans-changes-education/

Instead of bitching on here about a free service, why not email MSE (he doesn't write it all himself BTW, there's a team doing it with him these days) to ask if they are aware of the changes?

That warning is for Sep 2023, not Sep 2022! Rtfp! My point is that Sep 22 starters are falling through the cracks in the MSE advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 12:50

ComDummings · 01/07/2022 11:19

I’m sure he will do so, tweet him

People have. Ignored.

OP posts:
thebellagio · 01/07/2022 12:53

Do you realise it takes time to edit pages on a website? He needs to have his team research, fact check, write, edit and publish details to make sure they are accurate?

Perhaps his team aren't 'ignoring' it. Perhaps it's fucking hard work and they are doing their best to get to it.

He's a reliable and valuable source of information, but he's not the only source of information. Nor is he infallible. Try looking elsewhere if you think this cohort is affected. Geez.

CurbsideProphet · 01/07/2022 13:00

Martin Lewis even had Rishi Sunak asking for advice. Poor chap must barely have 5 minutes to himself right now. His website isn't the only source of info for student finance, so it would make more sense to look elsewhere if you're trying to decide whether to pay upfront or not.

WorkEventing · 01/07/2022 13:02

It’s his website, he can do whatever he likes. Users decide if they visit it or not. It’s not a public service that he has an obligation to provide.

Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 13:03

A whole cohort of students are starting uni in 2 months time. He has updated the calculator every year, but not this year - it only goes up to 2021. There is no warning or note. Sep 22 starters (and those in higher years still making decisions about whether to take the loan) are being presented with misleading info.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 01/07/2022 13:04

If you are in a position to even contemplate paying up front will it really make a difference to your decision making OP?

schoolsweats · 01/07/2022 13:04

Yeah! Pull your bloody finger out, Martin!

Martin Lewis is a hero.

Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 13:04

WorkEventing · 01/07/2022 13:02

It’s his website, he can do whatever he likes. Users decide if they visit it or not. It’s not a public service that he has an obligation to provide.

He has an obligation not to mislead

OP posts:
HarlanPepper · 01/07/2022 13:06

Your regular reminder that "infamous" does not mean "very famous"

Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 13:07

VanCleefArpels · 01/07/2022 13:04

If you are in a position to even contemplate paying up front will it really make a difference to your decision making OP?

Many people are. In my case, my mum died a few months ago and I have the proceeds of her house sale, so its a very real decision for us.

OP posts:
WhatsHoppening · 01/07/2022 13:11

I mean this kindly OP but it’s not Martin Lewis’s job to sort this for you. Get financial advice or calculate it yourself. I can guarantee not every parent/future student uses that calculator and based decisions on that- there are other factors and individual circumstances apply. It’s annoying but it’s not worth any more than a polite request and to work it out yourself if no response. He’s had a busy couple of years…

KylieKoKo · 01/07/2022 13:14

trendbender · 01/07/2022 13:03

A whole cohort of students are starting uni in 2 months time. He has updated the calculator every year, but not this year - it only goes up to 2021. There is no warning or note. Sep 22 starters (and those in higher years still making decisions about whether to take the loan) are being presented with misleading info.

@trendbender nothing is stopping you creating your own website to provide up to date free financial advice if Martin Lewis's isn't good enough for you. Post the link here once you're done.

He is under no obligation to provide any information for anyone at all. Anyone who takes out any kind of loan has a responsibility to check the interest rates themselves. If they don't check and take Martin Lewis's website as gospel then that really is their own look out.

hobbledyhoy · 01/07/2022 13:15

Yes I'm afraid YABVU to expect particularly during a time of massive cost of living crisis, spiralling inflation and economic and political volatility that Martin Lewis has time to meet every person in the UK's specific financial queries. You may not like that it's not updated but that's not his problem. You'll just need to find the info elsewhere. The man is run ragged.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 01/07/2022 13:19

prize of the year for most entitled thread ever. others have been more eloquent than me

Original poster
trendbender · 01/07/2022 13:24

WhatsHoppening · 01/07/2022 13:11

I mean this kindly OP but it’s not Martin Lewis’s job to sort this for you. Get financial advice or calculate it yourself. I can guarantee not every parent/future student uses that calculator and based decisions on that- there are other factors and individual circumstances apply. It’s annoying but it’s not worth any more than a polite request and to work it out yourself if no response. He’s had a busy couple of years…

I can see I should have put "Sep 22 Uni Cohort" in the title as anyone else clearly couldn't give a sh*t.

I'm not asking MSE to "sort" anything, just provide up to date information relevant to devisions being made by this year's cohort. Not too much to ask.

OP posts:
iBrows · 01/07/2022 13:26

Your level of Martin Lewis dependency has made me laugh!

You could always do what he does - research it yourself.

comealongponds · 01/07/2022 13:27

YABVU

its a free service, if you don’t like it then don’t use it. Energy prices and cost of living are far bigger issues affecting pretty much everyone, so naturally they’re a bigger priority for MSE right now than the much smaller group who are starting uni this September.

if you’re rich enough to be able to pay upfront then you can afford to pay a financial adviser to advice whether it’s worth it in your specific circumstances

RedCarsGoFaster · 01/07/2022 13:28

"Not too much to ask" - so ask MSE! Honestly, this is like going into Asda to moan about Tesco.

If you have spotted an error you tell the authors, not whine on an unrelated forum. Here's how you do that:

help.moneysavingexpert.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000212567-Spotted-a-broken-link-or-out-of-date-information-