Business
Martin Lewis tip ‘inundates’ phone lines as graduates check if they overpaid student loan | Personal Finance | Finance

Student loan company phone lines have been inundated with calls after a Martin Lewis video went viral, urging people to check if they could be owed “hundreds or thousands” back.
According to the Money Saving Expert founder, his recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed over one million people overpaid their loans last year.
The video, which was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday picked up more than 4,200 favourites, more than 800 re-posts, and 267 responses, which unsurprisingly led to a bombardment of the phone lines.
One user wrote: “Phone lines are inundated… I’ve been on hold for 50 mins.” Another followed up: “Can confirm! I’m currently at 58mins.”
Mr Lewis responded: “If you’re calling student loans company – worth knowing this, you can leave it a few days – I suspect this is my fault!!!” (sic)
Nevertheless, the long wait may pay off as many more shared their success stories. X user @sam_pn_spencer wrote: “An hour on the line but £700! Thank you Martin!!” (sic)
In the short video, Mr Lewis explained the ways in which a person may have unknowingly overpaid, as well as the ways to claim the money back. He used the current Plan Two threshold of £27,295 as an example of how to work it out.
If someone earned less than this amount during the 2021/22 tax year, which started on April 6, 2021, and ended on April 5, 2022, Mr Lewis said people may be able to claim, especially if they didn’t work a full year on the higher salary.
Mr Lewis said: “The big one – and the vast majority – is 833,000 people repaid, even though they don’t earn enough to repay. Now, you’ll know that you only repay your student loan if you earn over a set threshold.
“For most people, that threshold is just over £27,000, although depending on when you started university, in which UK nation, it might be over £22,000. But I’m going to stick with the £27,000 as the example.”
He continued: “Let’s take a twelfth of that (£27,295), the sort of monthly average amount, and you get to £2,274. So, because you pay this through the payroll, through PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn), if you earn over £2,274 in a month, they take nine percent of whatever is above that to go towards your student loan.
“But now let’s imagine you only work six months of the year, or most months you earn below the £2,274, but you just got some bonus or you worked overtime. So a few months you weren’t above it.
“That may mean your student loan repayments were taken, even though in the tax year in total – April to April – you earned less than £27,295. If that happened, you repaid your student loan when you needn’t have done so. So, you are eligible to take that money back.”
Mr Lewis’s FOI also showed hundreds of thousands of students are also on the wrong student loan plan. He said: “The UK Government tells firms if they don’t know which plan you were on to default to ‘Plan One’, which is where you start repaying over £22,000.
“Yet millions of you, the majority, are on plans where you pay over £27,000. So, if you earn £24,000 and you were on the default, you would have repaid when you didn’t need to do so.”
Mr Lewis reposted his video again, saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever had as many quick success reports for anything as I’ve had for this, so many “I got £xxx” successes coming in. If you have left uni and have an outstanding loan this really is important to listen to.” (sic)
Anyone who thinks they may have overpaid their student loan can read the full guide on MSE.com here. Mr Lewis added: “If possible, gather your old payslips, your payroll number and a PAYE reference number, and you’ll have those when you get in touch either online or phone the SLC – (they would prefer it to be online – and you just tell them that you think you overpaid.”
If these details aren’t readily available, Mr Lewis suggested getting in touch with the student loan company regardless but warned that it will slow the refund process down.
People who think they may have overpaid their student loan can phone SAAS on 0300 100 0609, the Student Loans Company on 0300 100 0611, or visit GOV.UK.
Business
Trump To Meet President Xi During China Visit: What’s On Agenda?


US President Donald Trump will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to May 15 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.
Senior US officials have indicated the meeting between both leaders will address several high-stakes topics, including Taiwan, Iran, AI technology and nuclear arms. The talks are also expected to focus on whether both nations will continue their strategic critical minerals pact, according to Reuters.
After more than half a year without direct talks, the leaders of the United States and China are preparing for a face-to-face meeting aimed at preventing further deterioration in ties strained by trade tensions and geopolitical conflicts, including the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Trump is expected to land in Beijing on Wednesday. This is the first time in nearly a decade that Trump will be visiting China.
ALSO READ: Putin Hints At Possible End Of Ukraine Conflict During Victory Day Address
Trump-Jinping Meet: What To Expect?
https://x.com/ANI/status/2053660557723783608?s=20
Economic relations are likely to dominate talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, with both sides expected to explore greater investment opportunities. Washington has recently pushed what strategy analysts refer to as the “Five B’s”, centred on Chinese imports of Boeing jets, US agricultural products such as beef and soybeans, and the formation of trade and investment panels designed to separate low-risk economic cooperation from sensitive security issues, reported The New York Times.
Beijing’s negotiating priorities have centred around the “Three T’s”: tariffs, technology and Taiwan, with China maintaining its longstanding claim over the island. Chinese officials are expected to seek continuation of the trade truce reached last year while urging the United States to relax restrictions on advanced chip exports that China sees as vital for economic and industrial progress. Jinping is also expected to raise concerns over Washington’s ties with Taiwan during discussions with Trump.
According to an official cited by Reuters, US and China may formally introduce plans for new trade and investment bodies at the upcoming meeting, but the mechanisms would likely need additional refinement before implementation. Discussions are also set to include the future of the trade ceasefire that currently permits the export of Chinese rare earth minerals to the US, although it remains uncertain whether an extension will be agreed upon this week.
A senior White House official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity on Sunday, indicated that Trump could push China more aggressively over its economic dealings with Iran, including oil purchases and the supply of products that may have both military and civilian uses. The comments came days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alleged that China was “funding” Tehran, Al Jazeera reported.
China’s relationship with Russia could emerge as another major topic during the talks.
ALSO READ: Assassination, Coup Fear? Putin Spending Weeks In Underground Bunkers, Says Report
“The President has spoken multiple times with General Secretary Xi Jinping about the topic of Iran and about the topic of Russia, to include the revenue that China provides to both those regimes, as well as dual-use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports. I expect that conversation to continue,” an official said as per Reuters.
Trump has frequently highlighted his personal rapport with Xi Jinping, often referring to him as “a friend”, while signalling hopes of attracting increased Chinese investment into the United States. However, analysts remain sceptical that the talks will produce a sweeping economic breakthrough, with more limited agreements and an extension of last year’s trade truce viewed as the most realistic outcome.
“The entire world will be hoping that the two leaders can reach agreement on at least a subset of issues … and find ways to prevent any further escalation of tensions on the remaining ones,” Eswar Prasad, professor of economics at Cornell University, told CNBC.
The previous face-to-face meeting between Trump and Jinping took place in South Korea last October, where both leaders agreed to halt an escalating trade conflict marked by steep US tariffs on Chinese imports and Beijing’s threat to curb rare earth exports.
Essential Business Intelligence,
Continuous LIVE TV,
Sharp Market Insights,
Practical Personal Finance Advice and
Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
Business
IndiGo, SpiceJet, GMR Drop 4% As PM Modi Urges To Avoid Foreign Travel


Aviation stocks tumbled after the opening bell on Monday, May 11 following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to citizens on avoiding foreign travel, adopt Covid like measures and save fuel in light of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
So far, Interglobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent lagged the most, trading 4.44% lower at Rs 4,322 apiece, followed by SpiceJet, which dropped 4.15% to Rs 13.41 and GMR Airports fell 3.67% at Rs 97.6 per share.
The recent dip comes after PM Modi appealed citizens to help conserve foreign exchange reserves, save fuel and avoid unnecessary foreign travel, overseas vacations and foreign weddings. Additionally, he urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using metros and public transport wherever available, and opting for car-pooling when private vehicles are necessary.
Essential Business Intelligence,
Continuous LIVE TV,
Sharp Market Insights,
Practical Personal Finance Advice and
Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
Business
Suspended TMC Spokesperson Riju Dutta Says He Was Punished for Speaking Truth


Suspended TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta on Sunday launched a scathing attack on his party, alleging that corruption had been institutionalised.
A day after being suspended for six years for alleged breach of party discipline, Dutta questioned why people in West Bengal now felt “free to express themselves without fear” following the BJP’s electoral victory.
“Why have things come to such a stage? Why are people celebrating? We did not introspect,” he told reporters.
The suspended leader alleged that money was demanded for almost every civic-related work.
“From installing commodes in homes to getting building plans approved, money had to be paid everywhere. There was hardly any work for which people did not have to pay the TMC,” Dutta alleged.
He also referred to the school jobs scam and said the allegations of “job theft” should have been given serious attention.
ALSO READ: 450% Higher: How Bengal CM-Designate Suvendu Adhikari’s Net Worth Compares With Mamata Banerjee
“If someone says jobs were not stolen, that would be a grave sin,” he said, adding that whenever he tried to raise such issues within the party forum, he was ignored.
Earlier, in a video message after the BJP’s victory in the state, Dutta had thanked BJP leaders for what he described as their “courtesy” and “protection”.
“The BJP’s central and Bengal leadership openly told me to continue doing politics fearlessly according to my ideology and beliefs and assured me that my family would not be harmed,” he had said.
He also mentioned BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari for extending support and claimed that many TMC leaders were keen to join the saffron party.
Dutta also apologised for his past personal attacks on BJP leaders during political campaigns.
Reacting to his suspension, Dutta said he had devoted 13 years to the party and risen through “hard work and performance”.
“I am not a nepo kid. Yet my beloved party suspended me because I spoke the truth,” he said in a social media post.
He further claimed that the party’s disciplinary committee accused him of not appearing before it despite his having submitted a written reply at the party headquarters within the stipulated time.
“Perhaps the suspension notice had been typed even before my reply notice was read,” Dutta said.
ALSO READ: Meet Suvendu Adhikari: From Mamata Banerjee’s Aide-Turned-Foe To BJP’s Bengal CM-Designate
The TMC on Saturday suspended three of its spokespersons, including Dutta, for six years over alleged anti-party remarks made following the party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
According to a statement, spokespersons Kohinoor Majumdar, Riju Dutta and Kartik Ghosh were suspended for allegedly violating party discipline.
Dutta drew attention after praising the BJP government’s measures to curb post-poll violence in a social media post. The notices were issued by TMC MP Derek O’Brien, who is a member of the party’s disciplinary committee.
Besides the three suspended leaders, notices had also been served on Krishnendu Chowdhury and Papiya Ghosh.
The party had sought explanations within 24 hours, asking why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them for “breach of party discipline”.
According to party leaders, some spokespersons had publicly questioned the leadership’s functioning and campaign strategy after the electoral defeat.
A senior TMC leader said the party would respond to Dutta’s allegations “at the appropriate time” and questioned why he raised the issues only after the election results.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Essential Business Intelligence,
Continuous LIVE TV,
Sharp Market Insights,
Practical Personal Finance Advice and
Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
Video4 weeks agoWorld News | ख़बरें विदेश की | 19 march 2026 | Donald Trump | venezuela news | America #dblive
Video4 weeks agoToday news 🔴 nepali news | aaja ka mukhya samachar, nepali samachar live | Chaitra 16 gate 2082.
World4 weeks agoChina threatens Trump over Strait of Hormuz blockade: ‘Do not interfere’ | World | News
Technology5 days agoAndroid users should update phones now to avoid ‘critical issue’
Technology4 weeks agoWindows PC users placed on red alert and told to watch out for urgent update
Video4 weeks agoToday news 🔴 nepali news | aaja ka mukhya samachar, nepali samachar live | Chaitra 15 gate 2082.
Sports4 weeks agoLIV Golf respond to reports of league collapsing with nine-word post | Golf | Sport
Video4 weeks agoIran War escalates as Yemen’s Houthis attack Israel and threaten Red Sea | BBC News




















