As at 31 March 1995, the Company had collected 94.7 per cent of monies due to be repaid, as against a target of 94.5 per cent. The Company estimate that a further 15 million may be irrecoverable due to borrowers defaulting on their repayments. To deal with increasing work in this area, the Company are provisionally forecasting an increase in staffing in their Collections Department of some 75 per cent by the year 2000. Service to students. There exists a strong resolve on the part of staff at all levels within the Company to improve the service provided to their customers.
Action is in hand in certain areas.
Notes for Editors Student loans have been available since 1990 to all eligible students with no means testing. Repayment beings in April following the student completing, or otherwise ceasing to attend, the course to which the loan relates. Borrowers whose gross income is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold can defer repayment for 12 months at a time. The Committee of Public Accounts are due to consider the report on 13 December. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the head of the National Audit Office, employing some 750 staff.