Phil Willis MP today welcomed the written ministerial statement from David Lammy MP and Hopkins Report promising structural reorganisation of the Student Loans Company.

He commented: “I certainly welcome the frankness of this statement, and the Hopkins report.”

“The fact that, when most students had commenced their courses on 4 October 2009, 175,000 were still waiting for their loans just highlights what an absolute shambles this has been.”

“The second instalment of student loans must be paid on time and in their entirety in January. Failure to do so will require radical changes in the leadership of the SLC.”

The Hopkins Report notes examples of universities paying out over £100,000 in emergency payments to students, as well as un-costed administrative burdens. This comes at the same time as SLC staff have been handed bonuses totalling £1,893,500 in 2008/09.

ENDS

Phil Willis MP - Press Release

Contact: Helen Undy – 020 7219 3846

Date: 8 December 2009

Embargo: immediate