STUDENT LOANS

That this House notes with concern the announcement by the Student Loans Company of a cut of 150 jobs; asks whether staff numbers should be cut in light of recent acknowledged systemic failures on the part of the company to process thousands of students' loan applications this year; considers that although greater efficiency should always be sought the timing of such a decision will come as no comfort to those students still waiting for September 2009 payments; further asks that the company concentrates on addressing urgently its current processing issues before looking to streamline back office operations; and calls for compensation to be paid to those students who have incurred costs because of the company's failure to deliver the student loans on time.