SLC prepares to pay record number of students

News story

Chris Larmer, Executive Director, Operations on how students can make sure they are prepared for the first payment of the new academic year.

The coming weeks look set to be very busy for the Student Loans Company (SLC) as we prepare to make student finance payments of over £2billion to over one million students.

Whether you are a new or returning student, we know that you will be looking forward to returning to your studies and we are working hard to ensure that the first Maintenance Loan payments are received by term start, or as close to term start as possible. We are confident that despite a record number of student finance applications this year, we are on track to ensure that more students than ever will start the new academic year with funding in place.

Not all students will get their full entitlement all at once. It can take 6-8 weeks to process a student finance application, which means that if you applied late (after our application deadlines), you may not have your application fully processed by term start.

Our priority is to ensure that all eligible applicants have some money in place by awarding the minimum Maintenance Loan amount first, followed by a top-up payment if students are entitled to more funding. You can find out more about how to get your first student finance payment if you are applying late online.

If you are due to receive funding you will receive an email from us explaining how you can help ensure that the payment process is as seamless as possible. The email includes simple tips like making sure your bank details are up to date as well as a reminder that we can only release your funding once you have registered with your university or college.

This is our busiest time of year, and you may find it difficult to get through to us on the phone, however, you can check your payment schedule online to make sure your payment is on track. You can also get in touch with us directly via SFE’s Twitter and Facebook pages and of course you can find the answers to the most common payment questions online.

To help prepare for payment students should follow the tips below:

  • Make sure you’ve submitted your application and provided any evidence you have been asked for:

    Sign in to your online account and check your to-do list is complete. If your ‘to-do list’ isn’t showing, this means you have no actions. Most evidence can be uploaded online, you can watch our short film explaining how to do this. Please only provide evidence you are specifically asked for.

short film

  • Prepare parents and partners too:

    Parents and partners may also be asked to provide financial information and evidence. They should do this through their own online student finance account which they can set up at www.gov.uk/studentfinance. They don’t need to upload any evidence, especially not P60s, unless we ask for it – otherwise it’ll take longer to process your application if we receive information that’s not required.

  • Check your bank details and National Insurance number are correct in your online account:

    If you need to update your bank details, make sure you do this at least 4 days before your payment date. It’s important that the details are correct to ensure your money goes to the right place.

  • Register on your course:

    Follow the registration guidance provided by your higher education provider and make sure you register as soon as possible. We cannot make payments to you until your university or college confirms that you’ve registered. It can take three to five days for payments to reach your account once you are registered so you should make sure you have money to cover any initial costs.

  • Remember if you are applying close to your term start date you may not get your full entitlement initially:

    It can take 6-8 weeks to process a student finance application, which means that applications may not be fully processed by term start. We will do our best to ensure that all eligible applicants have some money in place by awarding the minimum Maintenance Loan amount first, followed by a top-up payment if students are entitled to more funding. Read our online guide on how to get your first payment if you are applying late.

  • Check the status of your payments:

    You can view your payment schedule and check the status of your payments via your online account. Watch our handy film explaining what each of the payment statuses mean.

handy film

  • Let us know as soon as possible if you plan to suspend or withdraw from your studies:

    We hope it won’t happen but if you have to leave or suspend your course it’s important that you consider the impact on your funding. Talk to your university or college and let SLC know of any changes as soon as possible. Find out more online.

Published 26 August 2021



Nottinghamshire man fined £840 for operating illegal waste site

A 49-year old man who operated an illegal waste site at Sunnyside, on Barnby Road, Balderton, Newark, has been fined £840 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,000 in a case heard at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 24 August 2021.

Tony Briggs-Price, of Barnby Road, Balderton, was successfully prosecuted by the Environment Agency for storing, treating and disposing of waste on land at his home on Barnby Road, Newark, without an environmental permit.

Briggs-Price had previously worked in the waste industry, and was familiar with the legal requirements associated with environmental regulation.

On visiting the site in November 2018, Environment Agency and Nottinghamshire Police officers found large piles of waste, including approximately 100 tonnes of construction and demolition waste; approximately 160 tonnes of general mixed waste, including plastics and household waste; approximately 400 tonnes of soil; and approximately 1 tonne of wood waste.

They also found evidence of the recent burning of waste on the site, including smoke from the waste site, scorch marks and ash on the ground; smouldering and scorched metal items; and blackened metal coils (consistent with burning of mattresses).

The defendant had ignored three separate invitations to attend an interview under caution in 2019.

Speaking after the case Robert Vickers, the investigating officer at the Environment Agency, said:

We hope this case will send a clear message that we do not hesitate to take action to protect the environment and bring perpetrators to justice. Mr Briggs-Price operated the site without the required permit which, as well as undermining the regulatory regime, also had an impact on lawful waste operators.

We are actively targeting illegal waste activities across the country and would urge all those seeking to become involved in the waste industry to ensure they have the appropriate permits and authorisations in place before commencing their operations.

Businesses and householders should carry out checks to ensure that they are using legitimate companies to deal with their waste. To check if a waste carrier is genuine visit the public register

Anyone who suspects a company is operating illegally can call the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



Bumper £9.5 million navigation investment for River Thames

Press release

Programme Programme includes locks, docks and three new fish channels

The Environment Agency has released its 2021 to 2022 list of navigation improvements to the Thames. With a total budget of £9.5 million, it’s the largest investment programme in a decade.

The improvement works stretch from Lechlade (near the river’s source) to the tidal limit at Teddington. The improvements include weir refurbishments, dock improvements and the construction of new fish passes.

Stairwell reconstruction, chamber fender replacements and resurfacing will take place at 4 lock sites: Rushey, Bray, Romney and Penton Hook.

Other highlights include:

  • The removal of wrecked vessels that are either sunken, stranded or abandoned and causing an obstruction to navigation on the non tidal Thames.
  • The creation of an offshore canoe ‘portage’ at Abingdon to make safe river entry and exit points either side of the lock.
  • Further improvements to the dry dock facility at Sunbury including the roof structure and pumping system.
  • The construction of new fish passes at Sunbury Weir, Chertsey Weir and Mapledurham Weir to improve fish passage along the Thames.

See the full list of 2021/22 improvements

Environment Agency Waterways Manager Maria Herlihy said:

This year’s massive investment in navigation infrastructure on the non-tidal Thames demonstrates the magnitude of our commitment to support all forms of boating, and boating businesses, on the non-tidal Thames.

It will fund one of the most diverse and extensive programme of improvements for many, many years. It will also further enhance the experience for tens of thousands of regular and visiting Thames boaters.

The majority of the listed works will begin around November of this year with the intention of completion by March 2022. The Environment Agency gives several weeks’ notice so that river users can plan their winter movements and excursions.

The Environment Agency’s River Thames winter investment programme is subject to change – see the most up-to-date version. Boaters can subscribe to e-mail updates on River Thames closures and restrictions by contacting us riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk

Boaters’ registration fees contribute towards the cost of maintenance, but do not cover major refurbishments or replacement works. The Environment Agency receives government funding, which it invests carefully to ensure maximum value for money for the taxpayer.

All boats on the River Thames must be registered with the Environment Agency. Additional information can be found on our boats and waterways page.

Published 26 August 2021



Government department champions new support for victims of domestic abuse

  • Business department joins the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) as a Beacon member and calls on more businesses to sign up
  • Business Minister Paul Scully: “This simple step could have a life-changing impact on domestic abuse survivors”
  • builds on the government’s work to increase support for survivors of domestic abuse in the workplace

As part of a wider look at what employers can do to enhance the support for domestic abuse survivors, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has now joined the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) as a Beacon member.

Becoming an EIDA Beacon will increase the support for employees who may have been victims or at risk of domestic abuse, by raising awareness and education among staff, as well as providing additional resources and advice.

The announcement follows a wider BEIS consultation, aimed at increasing support for victims of domestic abuse across the UK, including a recent report in January 2021 looking at workplace support.

The report found that few employers have been aware of the signs of domestic abuse, and an even smaller number have a clear policy in place to support survivors.

Joining EIDA is a quick and free step employers can take towards furthering their support for victims of domestic abuse.

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

Home should always be a safe place, but for many this sadly isn’t the case. For anyone experiencing or at risk from domestic abuse, I want to make sure help and support is readily available to them in the workplace.

No one should have to suffer in silence, and that’s why my department is joining the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse to ensure employees get the support they need. I would urge more businesses to join this important initiative, as this simple step could have a life-changing impact on domestic abuse survivors.

The benefits of becoming an EIDA Beacon include:

  • access to a suite of training and development, including access to specialists who can offer a strategic review of domestic abuse and action for the department
  • dedicated account management to implement HR processes and procedures to support victims, survivors, and potential perpetrators

BEIS joins several organisations already part of the Beacon programme. For more details on the current membership, please see the EIDA website.

Earlier this year, in an open letter to all UK employers, Minister Scully outlined key steps they can take to build awareness of domestic abuse and ensure they are noticing warning signs, and help workers access the support they need.

Elizabeth Filkin CBE, Chair of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse said:

We are delighted to welcome the Department for Business to the EIDA network. We also thank the Minister and his team for all they have already done to raise awareness of the role of employers in tackling domestic abuse.

Working with government, charities, and opinion formers to stop domestic abuse and to get help for victims, there has been much progress in recognising the scale and impact of abuse and what steps business can take to stop it. But there is more to do. The BEIS contribution to our network will enable us to make great strides forward toward our aim of ending domestic abuse once and for all.

You can find out more about EIDA and join for free on the EIDA website.

View the national domestic abuse helpline.

There is also a range of free guidance for both employers and employees to support domestic abuse survivors in the workplace, including toolkits from organisations such as:

It is also free to join the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse.



Shocking footage shows pedestrian risking safety along Hull’s busiest road

The company, alongside contractors Balfour Beatty and the Safer Roads Humber partnership, including Hull City Council and Humberside Police, is urging people to follow the pedestrian diversions around the major A63 Castle Street work in Hull city centre and stay outside of the roadworks after several dangerous incursions.

Among them is a pedestrian caught on camera ignoring diversions, crossing the city’s busiest road and clambering under a small gap in central reservation steel fencing, before narrowly missing oncoming traffic.

A63 roadworks

Bernice Sanders, senior project manager at National Highways, said:

While we plan our work to minimise inconvenience to drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and residents, the measures we put in place are for one paramount reason – to ensure safety.

People who selfishly ignore the pedestrian diversions, like climbing through fencing, to save a few minutes on their journey are putting both their lives and others at risk.

Ruth Gore, spokesperson for Safer Roads Humber, a regional road safety partnership, said:

Safer Roads Humber has been undertaking speed enforcement on behalf of National Highways to manage traffic speeds to ensure the safety of the motoring public and those on the construction site whilst these road works are progressing. The majority of drivers are complying with the speed restrictions, and we thank them.

However, on this occasion it is other road users who are putting themselves and others in danger by entering the road works. We ask them to use the designated crossings so that everyone can share the road safely.

Nearby to the work, several ‘yellow brick’ road signs have been positioned to safely divert pedestrians, cyclists and skaters around the Mytongate junction improvement work, including along Hull’s new footbridge – Murdoch’s Connection – which links up Hull marina and docks to the city’s retail area.

Councillor Dean Kirk, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said:

“We urge everyone to use the designated crossing places whilst National England carry out these essential improvement works to the A63. Signs and measures are in place for everyone’s safety and it’s shocking to see, in these CCTV images how pedestrians, cyclists and skaters are unnecessarily putting their lives at risk. Follow the yellow brick road signs to the safe crossings.”

Will Neaves, project director at Balfour Beatty, added:

The health and safety of all those who work with and for us, as well as the members of the public, is always our priority. We ask that pedestrians follow the diversion routes which are clearly signposted, while these essential works remain ongoing.

Keep up to date via the A63 Castle Street dedicated webpage, follow the Twitter account @HighwaysYORKS, or use National Highways’ new interactive ECHO tool where you can provide invaluable feedback which will help us improve the scheme.

You can also find out more about the work of the Safer Roads Humber partnership here.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the National Highways customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the National Highways press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.