Lucy Powell, the UK’s new Education Secretary, says the student loans system is a top priority for review, particularly the interest rates charged on outstanding debt. Powell characterizes the current rates as “egregious” and argues they make it harder for younger workers to repay their loans. Speaking after taking office, she says her initial focus is to examine how the loan terms work in practice and whether the level of interest should be reconsidered. Multiple reports describe her as having previously criticized the student loan interest rate before becoming Education Secretary, and her comments now align with her earlier stance. The reporting indicates she is seeking changes through a formal review of the system rather than immediate policy steps. While the sources emphasize the interest-rate burden on borrowers, they also point to a broader look at the costs students are asked to pay for university and how those charges translate into long-term repayment outcomes. The review is presented as an early commitment from Powell to reassess the structure of student debt and the financial impact on repayments.