§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from local educational authorities about difficulties in modifying computer systems to reflect changes in the system of student support. [88623]
§ Mr. MudieWe have received no representation from local education authorities about difficulties in modifying computer systems.
The upgrades to the computer systems are needed to enable the local education authorities to administer the new Student Support arrangements. The majority of the system upgrades are being handled by three IT suppliers, while 40 local education authorities have in house IT teams.
The new arrangements represent a very big change for all those concerned—LEAs, the Student Loans Company, Higher Education Institutions and students and their families. As with any new system it will take time to bed in. Officials in the Department have engaged all these parties in designing the new system, setting the deadlines and agreeing all other features of the new student loan arrangements. All of us are concerned to ensure that students receive their loans at the start of the term.
We have been informed by the IT suppliers that by mid July the local education authorities would have received all the upgrade required to administer the new Student Support arrangements.