Trending claims

Where misuse or fraud is found we have powers to claw back payments and we won't hesitate to use them

Universities UK said it supported government's proposal to require franchise partners to register with OfS

OfS would work with education department and SLC to address the issues

OfS chief executive Susan Lapworth said sharp practices alleged in Sunday Times investigation were entirely unacceptable and represent shocking misuse of public funding

Public Sector Fraud Authority is part of Cabinet Office and Treasury and works with government and public bodies on reducing fraud

In England loans are eventually written off after 40 years

If there is evidence of criminal behaviour we completely agree that it must be rooted out

Tuition fees are paid directly to university or education provider while maintenance loan is paid directly to student's bank account in installments

Phillipson plans to bring forward legislation to ensure OfS has new powers to protect public money

I will not tolerate a penny of taxpayers' money being misused

Today's revelations demand that we must go further and faster to protect the public purse

Students can take out government-subsidised loans to help towards their maintenance costs and to cover tuition fees

Franchising in some universities had been less about expanding access and more about meeting expanding overheads and Office for Students should have provided guardrails in this area

Students need to repay their loan but not until they earn a certain amount after graduation with amounts currently ranging from £24990 to £31395 depending on which part of UK they are based

Report in Sunday Times found evidence of individuals enrolling on degree courses at small colleges to access loans with no intention of paying them back

Education secretary asked counter-fraud experts to lead investigation into reports millions of pounds in student loans are claimed by people with no intent to study

She said it pointed to one of the biggest financial scandals in the history of universities sector

Newspaper said most students under scrutiny are believed to be at franchised universities

There is concern about potential organized recruitment of Romanian nationals to enroll on courses

Bridget Phillipson called in Public Sector Fraud Authority to coordinate government's response to allegations and support investigations