Almost 120,000 students still waiting for loan payments following Labour's debacle (Greg Stone)

Almost 120,000 students still waiting for loan payments following Labour's debacle

November 11, 2009 2:00 PM

Greg Stone, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, has supported calls by the NUS for the head of the Student Loans Company to resign immediately following reports that more than a month into the new academic year, more than 100,000 students have yet to receive their loan payments.

There is evidence of serious hardship and students dropping out of courses because they cannot afford to continue without access to funds, and increasing evidence that the maladministration of the SLC has come about following poor advice from Government ministers about projected student numbers.

Greg Stone said "This scandal has gone on long enough, yet the Student Loans Company seems unable to get a grip on the situation and ministers are nowhere to be seen. The NUS are calling for resignations over this issue and I am inclined to agree. I am continuing to receive communication from students and families in Newcastle who are being severely affected by the incompetence of the SLC, but there is still no sign of a resolution. Labour are continuing to let students down and the performance of the ministers responsible has been lamentable."

"I have promised to take this matter up when I meet the deputy vice chancellor of Newcastle University later this week; though the universities themselves are not responsible for the crisis, I consider they have a wider responsibility for student welfare and I am interested to hear how they are supporting affected students in the city."