The MP for Dagenham, Jon Cruddas, looks set to become the undergraduates' favourite for the job of deputy leader of the Labour party, after backing calls for free prescriptions and cheap bus travel for students and keeping interest rates on loans pegged to inflation.
As the deputy leadership race reaches its final three weeks, the six candidates were asked to respond to the National Union of Students' five challenges for the new prime minister.
Judging by their responses, Mr Cruddas, who has gone from relative obscurity to third favourite in the contest, is clearly out to get students on side.
The NUS is calling on the government to give students free prescriptions, dental care and eye tests and offer cheap bus travel. It also wants current interest rates on student loans to remain linked to inflation, wants the free entitlement to level three qualifications extended to all adults and an equal minimum wage to protect vulnerable workers.
Mr Cruddas said he backed the union's calls for better healthcare and cheaper travel, and would "challenge" anyone who tried to charge commercial interest rates on loans, an idea being mooted by economists.
"Commercial rates would be the first step to an even more regressive fee system and would penalise and place in debt those graduates on lower incomes, including the teachers and nurses of tomorrow," he said.
Hazel Blears, Labour party chairwoman, could also earn herself a place in students' affections, backing the NUS over interest rates and supporting cheap travel for students.
She said she would look "seriously" into the healthcare proposals and added: "I would also do more to make other NHS services accessible to students and young people. For example I am the only deputy leadership contender to be arguing for improved sexual health services."
Hilary Benn, the international development secretary and favourite to win the deputy leadership crown, fudged the interest rate question, saying instead how proud he was of the government's achievements in widening participation. He was not "persuaded to ensure concessionary bus travel for all students at a national level". He also called for more evidence to justify free prescription charges.
Alan Johnson, the education secretary, was non-committal. On interest rates he said the present arrangements were "set in stone until at least 2009" after which they would be considered by an independent commission and then by Parliament, but gave a firm no to a "broad brush concession" on travel to all learners.
Justice minister, Harriet Harman, kept it vague. On prescription charges she said: "no-one should have to struggle to pay for prescriptions which they need".
On bus travel, she said: "Public transport should be affordable for young people from low income backgrounds, who should not be deterred by fear of inability to pay back loans."
And on loan rates added: "I will work with NUS to solve problem of students being deterred by debt and limiting further study choices because of need to pay off debt."
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, said he would need more evidence to support the healthcare demands, adding: "If there is a case for providing students with extra help, we might be able to address affordability concerns by targeting help at those from lower income groups who are not liable for tuition fees."
Gemma Tumelty, president of the NUS, said the responses showed Westminster was "taking note" of the challenges faced by students and were an "encouraging prelude" for future debates on higher education. She added that she would be giving her personal support to Jon Cruddas.
