Grant Wankshaft

Even those who view students in the same light as the infamous Viz character, Student Grant may be inclined to be more sympathetic after hearing the news that the average student debt has risen by 12% over the last year. Ironically, the fact that the popular student stereotype is spoilt and middle-class may mean that it was ahead of its time; after all, who else but the middle classes will be able to afford an education at this rate?

The other irony is that it's Barclays Bank that publishes the recognised leading research annually. It's a bit like the hangman writing a thesis on miscarriages of justice.

In the meantime, we await a new Viz character - 'Thieving Usurious Scumbags'.