The Times’ Money desk has been investigating the UK’s student debt system – and has discovered some bombshells. After being promised a loan that would be like paying a ‘phone bill every month’, graduates are weighed down by tens of thousands of pounds in ever-increasing debt. So how did we get here? And is there a plan to fix it?

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Guest: Mary Downer, Money reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Sophie McNulty.

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Read more: Plan 2 student loan interest is unfair, says Lucy Powell

Further listening: The Budget unpacked

Clips: BBC, Parliament Live, ITN, Channel 4 News, LBC.

Episode artwork: Times Media.

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