Graduate invoices £41k student debt bill to Rishi Sunak

Outraged by the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s suggestion that “musicians and others in the arts should retrain”, graphic design graduate Luke Osborne asked him for a refund on his degree.

The 29-year-old has £41,717.32 in debt from student loans.

Although Sunak quickly retracted the statement and claimed he was referring to employment as a whole, Luke, from Hullbridge, says clearing his debt will help him seek “new opportunities”.

He said: “The trouble is a lot of people have gone to university and built careers in the industry to be told to retrain, but not all of us can afford to do that.

Protest - Luke taking a stand

“Like many I’ve already got a degree under my belt back in 2015 after I went to the University of Hertfordshire, and I can’t afford to do another course.

“I was there for five years, originally I went to do animation but I found out graphic design was my passion, so to hear this suggestion was such a huge slap to the face. It really did make me so angry and I worried my degree was now useless when I’ve put so much time into it.

Designer - Luke Osborne

“I sent over the invoice and my payment details but I haven’t heard back yet from Mr Sunak yet."

Luke says that although he doesn’t actually expect a refund, for him it’s more about delivering his message right to government.

He continued: “It’s not about the money, it’s to show it’s not easy to just pack up and retrain.

Talented - Luke kitted out with his cap and gown

“If I were to ever miraculously receive a cheque on my doorstep I’d have to send it back or give it away to charity. I’m lucky in that I still live at home and although I was made redundant in August from the marketing agency which I worked at when I came back from university, I’ve had a few freelance jobs.

“Not everybody has had that, and lots have been in the same boat it’s not just me. There are musicians and performers who haven’t been able to do what they love. “