Tory leadership candidate looks to axe student loans for ‘worst-performing university courses’

Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has suggested he would cut student loans for “low-value degrees”.  

The candidate revealed that he would aim to cut funding towards the worst performing 10% of courses in a speech delivered on Wednesday to the Thatcherite Centre for Policy Studies.

Jenrick is one of two candidates remaining in the running for leadership of the Conservative Party.

He would be willing to invest into increasing apprenticeships and skills training

The leadership hopeful suggested that he would be willing to invest into increasing apprenticeships and skills training even if “that means failing universities closing and converting into hubs for apprenticeships”.

A source has stated that the decision to close certain universities will be made “based on university rankings”. This has not been confirmed.

His proposal came in response to a question regarding the impact that an “immigration crackdown” would have on the economy. 

Jenrick argued that he did not “find it right” that “we have millions of people in our country who are out of work when we are importing foreign labour into it instead”.  

He has stated that closed universities could become “Institutes of Technology”. 

He also stated that the opening up of funds could be sent to small and medium-sized businesses to encourage the taking on of more apprentices. 

Jenrick argued that he believes apprenticeships would give young people “real skills” rather than “low-value degrees”. Jenrick did not specify which degrees he considered as such.  

Research highlighted that “women who studied creative arts and languages degrees earned the same amount in their lifetime as if they had not gone to university”. Their male counterparts earned less than they may have without university.

Jenrick has framed the move as part of his goal to cut what he believes is “wasteful spending”.  

Around 130,000 less people are estimated to go to university under the plans

Around 130,000 less people are estimated to go to university under the plans.

Jenrick claimed that “we are sending thousands of people to university who would benefit far more from building practical skills”. 

He further declared: “It’s time to end Blair’s failed experiment with higher education, close down failing universities, and replace them with apprenticeship hubs for young and old alike, giving people the real chance at a better life they deserve”.