Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (National): David Willetts comments on PAC report into the delivery of student finance

Embargoed until 0001 Tuesday December 7

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

“The Student Loan Company has significantly improved its level of service this year.

“The weak performance of the Student Loans Company in 2009 under the previous administration was completely unacceptable. The new Government acted quickly, replacing the Company’s senior team and making clear our expectation for substantial improvements for students taking out a loan last summer.

“There is no room for complacency. We will continue to work closely with the SLC to ensure students and their families get the service they rightly deserve.”

Notes for editors:

1. 99.3% of students who applied by the June deadline with the right documentation first time were paid at the start of term.
2. Student loan application data used by the NAO and PAC refers to applications processed, whereas the Student Loans Company bases its management information on the number of payments made. These figures are not the same. The earlier set includes those who applied for a university place and made an application for student finance but were not successful.
3. BIS' online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. Seehttp://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Contacts

NDS Enquiries 
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept 
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk