The SNP says the UK Government must make student loans more affordable after new statistics said Scottish students graduate with less than half the debt of their English and Welsh counterparts.

According to the SNP’s figures, the average student debt a Scottish student accumulates is £21,000, compared with £47,730 for English and Welsh students.

SNP MSP Jack Middleton said: “Student debt is spiralling and the triple lock is getting axed – the Labour Party is going after pensioners and our young people in a pincer movement.

“Here in Scotland we are shielding our young people from the Westminster debts being handed out south of the border with loans more than doubled under the Labour Party.

“No matter someone’s financial situation – they should be able to attend university or college without the barrier of ludicrously high tuition fees. In Scotland, the SNP back this principle.

“It is time for Andy Burnham to back young people and do the same.

“The Labour Party promised to scrap tuition fees, but they are about to go up for a third year in a row.

“Our young people cannot wait for the decades Andy Burnham talks about, they need a future now – in Scotland our positive vision for a fresh start with independence offers that bright future.”

The Department for Education was approached for comment.