The Conservative Party will force a vote on Wednesday to block the government's planned fuel duty increase and reform the student loan system, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted is 'broken'. The opposition day debate comes amid rising oil prices due to the Middle East crisis and concerns over graduate debt.
The Tories will call for an end to 'real interest' on student loans—interest above inflation, currently RPI plus 3%—and for raising the salary repayment threshold. They will also table a motion to prevent the September fuel duty rise, though it is unlikely to pass given Labour's large majority.
Chancellor Reeves acknowledged the student loan system is broken but said fixing it is not a priority, citing child poverty and NHS waiting lists as more urgent. She froze the repayment threshold at £29,385 for three years in the autumn budget, sparking criticism.
A Conservative spokesperson said the party has a funded plan to 'end the burden of student loan debt' and double apprenticeships by scrapping low-value degrees. They argued graduates need to earn £66,000 to pay off loans, leaving many with mounting debt.
Fuel duty has been frozen since 2011 and cut by 5p in 2022. The government insists tax policies are under review but it is too early to predict autumn prices.
