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Changes to student finance this September will see future graduates paying back their university debts earlier and for longer than any generation before them.

Some analysts say the changes which include 10 extra years on the life of the loan and a lower income when repayments start could see some graduates paying almost double over the course of their working lives.

So, if you’re paying more for longer, is a degree still worth the cost?

On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by money expert Greg Marsh, and social mobility professor Lee Elliot Major to discuss how the debt is changing and options young people have.

And ahead of her exams, sixth form student Thea Roland talks about her future university plans.

Producer: Sydney Pead
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Net migration to the UK rose to 606,000 in the 12 months to December 2022, the highest number for a calendar year on record - despite a Tory 2019 manifesto commitment to "bring overall numbers down".
The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics, show that most people arriving to the UK last year were non-EU nationals.


The body attributed a "unique year" for migration to "world events" including the war in Ukraine and unrest in Hong Kong.


On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson breaks down the numbers with Sky’s data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire and picks through the fallout in Westminster with political correspondent Ali Fortescue.


Plus, Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, explains how what the government says actually impacts the number of people that come to the UK.

Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott
Editor: Philly Beaumont

There had been months of speculation, but Ron DeSantis has now officially launched his bid for the White House - filing a declaration of candidacy with the US federal electoral commission.

He has been described as Trump 2.0 and has pitched himself as the more "credible" choice for the Republican nomination who could face Democrat incumbent Joe Biden in next year's US presidential election race.

But who is Ron DeSantis? And can he rival Donald Trump?

On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by our US correspondent Mark Stone in Florida and state government reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, Kirby Wilson, as they dive into DeSantis’ backstory and his politics – including his response to COVID and feud with Disney. Plus, they look at what a DeSantis White House would mean for the American people.

Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer
Nelly Stefanova - archive researcher
Philly Beaumont - editor

Criminal gangs are exploiting Britain's need to fill jobs by using the skilled worker visa system as a route to traffic people into the country.

Under the scheme, someone who has been offered a job in the UK is allowed to bring dependents with them, but Sky News has learned about several cases of abuse of the system.

On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson is joined by our communities correspondent Lisa Holland and producer Nick Stylianou who have uncovered the story to explain how 'fake' families are smuggled in.

Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse
Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been accused of breaking the ministerial code of conduct by asking civil servants to arrange a private speed-awareness course after she was caught speeding in 2022.

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson asks Tim Durrant from the Institute for Government what breaking the ministerial code actually means and speaks to Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell about the political reasons this story may have broken now.

Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Editor: Philly Beaumont

Earlier this year, MPs voted to stop trophy hunters bringing back the body parts of endangered animals – such as rhino horns - into Britain.

However, not everyone agrees with a blanket ban.

Some conservationists and local community leaders in parts of Africa warn it unintentionally risks reversing their efforts to grow populations of animals including elephants, lions and the critically endangered black rhino.

They also worry bans like this could undermine the livelihoods of people in these rural areas.
On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to Jens Ulrik Høgh, who has hunted in Africa dozens of times, and conservationist Maxi Pia Louis, who talks about what communities in Namibia are doing to protect species and their relationship with hunting groups.

Plus, Leah is joined by wildlife expert Professor Amy Dickman, from the University of Oxford, to discuss what evidence there is that trophy hunting supports conservation – and we hear from Henry Smith, the MP who put forward the import ban which is currently going through the House of Lords.

Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer
Philly Beaumont – editor