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Chancellor Calls Student Loans System Broken, Prioritizes Child Poverty

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the student loans system is broken but not a priority for immediate reform, speaking at Bayes Business School.
She said policymakers should instead tackle pressing issues such as child poverty and hospital waiting lists.
The repayment threshold will stay at £29,385 for three years, drawing criticism.
The House of Commons Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into the fairness of the student loans system.

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Story summary

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the student loans system is broken but not a priority for immediate reform, speaking at Bayes Business School.
She said policymakers should instead tackle pressing issues such as child poverty and hospital waiting lists.
The repayment threshold will stay at £29,385 for three years, drawing criticism.
The House of Commons Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into the fairness of the student loans system.