... but in fresh U-turn he refuses to end tuition fees

The Labour leader yesterday refused to stand by his pledge to abolish tuition fees, in the latest of a string of U-turns.

Despite making the promise when he ran to be leader in 2020, Sir Keir Starmer sidestepped questions on whether it still stood. he told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: ‘I think the tuition fees system needs to be changed, I don’t think it’s working.

‘But looking at the damage that’s been done to the economy... we will only make commitments that we can afford at the next general election so we need to look at that promise again.’

his refusal to commit to the policy follows a string of U-turns, including on Brexit, the NHS and welfare. Sir Keir last week struggled to explain major policy U- turns over his pledges to defend EU free movement and ban the NHS from using private sector capacity.

he has also retreated on pledges to nationalise public utilities, has warned against tax rises – even on the richest – and it was confirmed the party would not scrap Universal Credit.

Last week the Government confirmed tuition fees for degrees in england will be frozen at a maximum of £9,250 for the next two years. Maximum student loans for living costs will rise by 2.8 per cent in 2023/ 24, the Department for education said.