Not sure why I'm posting really but here goes.

I'm doing a PhD and it's very slow going. I picked a topic on the basis that it was a proposal and something I could run with but that doesn't seem to be the case now. I've a supportive supervisor but they seem extremely busy (my feeling is that they take too much on). I can't really do much more until they attend to certain things and it's taking up time. The thing is I've no interest in an academic career or a career in research but other circumstances meant that it would be wise to take up the offer of the PhD. I need to complete in three years because I'm not prepared to 'pay' fees to continue after three years and I know I want to move on to do other things and have already started making plans. I've tried explaining this to my supervisor but I don't think they are taking it on board.

If I have to leave at three years without having submitted will I have to repay anything?

you don't say how far along you are with your phd, but it does sound (and no offence intended here) like it's a bit of a waste of time doing a phd when you have no interest in it. rather than working on something for three years and then never submitting, wouldn't it be better to perhaps consider leaving now and doing something you actually want to do? as far as i am aware, there are no penalties for quitting at any point (in some cases people have had to pay back a very small portion of their stipend when they leave, but this is quite rare i think) but would you want to have worked hard on a project and then just walk away from it right near the end? if i were you, i would take a good look at what other options are open to you in the job market, and maybe it's time to move on! good luck.

No offence taken.

A couple of things though. The PhD is interesting enough and motivation is not a problem. I do intend to submit in three years or very slightly after but my concern is that, through no fault of my own, the research will not be completed in three years and I'm not prepared to pay large sums of money if it goes over three years. I'm very keen to work and get on but there are factors outside of my control and it's proving very frustrating.

The job market is as bad as the housing market and this is partly why I'm doing the PhD. Besides, the PhD will provide a good back up plan.

to be honest, the lack of jobs around was a motivating factor for me too when choosing to do my phd! (yes, we don't all do it for the pure love of research *gasp*!). it is a shame that people are considering dropping their research through lack of funding. maybe it would be possible to finish your write-up alongside a full-time job once your funding runs out (as horrendous as that sounds!)