Student loan reforms unlikely in spring forecast; repayment threshold and interest rates unchanged.

Student loan reforms are unlikely in the upcoming spring forecast, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said, calling the event a fiscal update, not a full budget. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to review the system for fairness but offered no immediate changes. The repayment threshold remains frozen at £29,385, and interest rates stay at RPI plus up to 3%. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the system as a “debt trap” and pushed for interest caps at RPI, while consumer advocate Martin Lewis urged reversal of recent policy changes, calling them unfair if applied by a private company. A meeting between Badenoch and Lewis is scheduled, but no decisions or timelines have been set.