Advanced learner loans change analysis by Level / Local Authority

Over the whole period 2017/18 and 2020/21, total Advanced Learner Loan spend increased by about £1 million and increases were seen at both Level 3 and Level 4+.

There was some fluctuation in spend over the four-year period, with peak spend in the year 2019-20, followed by a dip in 2020-21.

Advanced learner loans change analysis by Level / Local Authority

Geographical patterns of change in spend over the whole period 2017/18 to 2020/21 were not even. There were decreases between 2017/18 and 2018/19 followed by increases in 2018/19 to 2019/20. There were decreases over the past year evident in all local authority areas with the exception of Sandwell, which experienced an increase over the whole four-year period.

Advanced learner loans change analysis by Employment Status (Spend)

In relation to leaner employment status, all groups experienced an increase in spend over the period 2018/19 to 2019/20, followed by a decrease or unchanged spend over the period 2019/20 to 20120/21. The proportion of Advanced Learner Loan learners who are employed dropped from 53% in 2017/18 to 46% in 2020/21, whereas the proportion who are not working and looking for work increased from 24% to 37% over the same period.

Advanced learner loans change analysis by Gender / Ethnicity (No of learners)

The number of Advanced learner Loan learners decreased by almost 70 (-2%) over the period 2017/18 to 2018/19, increased by about 200 (+7%) over the period 2018/19 to 2019/20 but decreased by about -350 or 21% over the period 2019/20 and 2020/21. The net change over the four-year period was a decline in numbers from 3,025 to 2,505 (-17%).

There were some variations in these patterns by learner group over the last four years. There was proportionally greater decline in females compared with males and those from the Black African and Caribbean ethnic groups compared with other ethnic groups. By contrast the number and proportion of learners declaring a disability rose.

Advanced learner loans change analysis by Priority Sector (No of learners)

Trends varied by priority sector, although numbers of learners decreased over the period 2019/20 to 2020/21 in all priority sectors with the exception of Digital and Creative.