Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledged to cap interest on Plan 2 student loans at RPI only, promising relief for the cohort who borrowed between 2012 and 2023. The proposal targets roughly 5.8 million borrowers and seeks to blunt criticisms that current rates are punitive. The pledge adds pressure to national debate on higher‑education affordability as parties position ahead of future ballots. Policy analysts caution that interest caps would change repayment trajectories and fiscal exposures, and would require Parliamentary backing and detailed costing before implementation.