Lamb calls for full investigation into scale of student loan cash delays

12.41.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Oct 2004

Norfolk students are failing to receive their loan payments on time, warns Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb. The problems first

emerged because of glitches in a new national student finance £30 million computer system.

"There are real problems with students getting into debt and getting through their courses," said Mr Lamb. "I am aware of one student from North Norfolk who has had to give up her course because she was so worried about mounting debts while she was waiting for her loan. Parents of another student have contacted me to say that their son was not expecting his loan until Christmas, but was still being asked to pay his tuition fees within 21 days. At a time when many families are anxious about money, this only adds to the anxiety,"

"There needs to be a full investigation into the scale of this problem. It is important to know how serious this is. I will be tabling parliamentary questions on the issue."

Hundreds of students across Norfolk have been affected by the delays. Students from North Norfolk with problems in getting their loans can contact Norman Lamb on 01692 403752, email normanlamb@hotmail.com, post 15 Market Place, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 9BP.