The Conservatives have urged Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to support capping student loan interest at the rate of RPI inflation, reviving a policy announced by Kemi Badenoch in February. They argue this would reduce graduates’ repayments substantially and form part of a wider plan to improve routes into work for young people.

The party also proposes ending university courses it considers poor value, with savings redirected towards doubling apprenticeships. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said more than one million young people were not in education, employment or training, blaming Labour’s taxes and regulation; Labour’s response was not included in the article.