Bright Blue says measure being considered in Downing St to woo younger voters would only benefit better off graduatesA prominent Conservative thinktank is warning Philip Hammond against giving high-paid graduates a handout by cutting the interest rates on student loans in a bid to win over younger voters. Cutting the interest rates on outstanding student debt is one measure under consideration in Downing Street, but the thinktank Bright Blue, which counts more than 100 Conservative MPs among its backers, said that would only benefit the better off. Ryan Shorthouse, the thinktank’s chief executive, said: “The Conservative government needs to and should make a big offer to young people. “This would mean all young people repaying student loans would pay a smaller amount from their salaries each month. Theresa May’s former chief of staff, Nick Timothy, recently referred to the existing student loan system as an “unsustainable Ponzi scheme”.

Source: The Guardian September 10, 2017 18:39 UTC