Starmer Pledges to Review Student Loan Fairness
Sir Keir Starmer has informed MPs that he would "look at ways" to make the student loans system "fairer". This commitment comes after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the current system, describing it as "at breaking point" and a "debt trap" for graduates.
Earlier in a parliamentary debate, Sir Keir faced demands to reform the student loan system in England amid criticisms of "rip-off" interest rates and perceived unfair changes to repayment terms. Campaigners have been advocating for reforms following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement last year to freeze the salary threshold at which some student loans must be repaid.
Debate at Prime Minister's Questions
During Prime Minister's Questions, Kemi Badenoch challenged Sir Keir to reduce interest rates on student loans, stating:
"The system is now at breaking point for graduates. I believe student loans have become a debt trap."
In response, Sir Keir said:
"I'm glad to learn that the leader of the opposition has finally admitted that they scammed the country on this, and that applies to everything they did in government. We inherited their broken student loans system. We've already introduced maintenance grants to improve the situation, which they scrapped, and we will look at ways to make it fairer."
The Prime Minister also highlighted other economic improvements aimed at supporting students, including the announcement that the average energy bill would be £117 lower this year.
"We promised to cut the cost of living. We are cutting the cost of living," he stated.
Badenoch further criticised Sir Keir regarding his 2020 Labour leadership election pledge to abolish tuition fees if he succeeded Jeremy Corbyn, noting:
"For the record energy bills are still higher than when he came into office."
