The Department of Education and Children has changed its mind over making parents liable for student debts.

Initial plans would have seen parents held responsible for repayments under a loan scheme for tuition fees – but an amended scheme will mean only the students themselves will have to pay the money back.

The scheme still needs Tynwald approval – the court will consider the proposals this month.

From next year undergraduates will stump up ?2,500 a year and those whose parents earn more than ?80,000 a year will pay more.

The government loan scheme would lend students the fee money, but when the regulations were published last month, there was resistance to the idea parents would be jointly liable for the cash.

And Minister Tim Crookall says he’s also had a change of heart about interest – it’ll now be charged from when students complete their course, rather than the date the loan was taken out.

Under the amended plans, students will start repaying the money a year after their studies are completed and if they’re earning at least ?21,000 a year.

Mr Crookall says he believes nobody will miss out on university because of money worries.