Recommendation 27

DfE recognised the advantages in having transparency between the three bodies, which enables them to take a collective view across an issue.66 OfS noted that there are some legal constraints on how it can share information, so it needs to work within its legal parameters. However, it now has clear information sharing protocols, from OfS to SLC and vice versa, and from both SLC and OfS into DfE. OfS concluded that all three are confident that they would not end up in the position described in the C&AG’s report again.67 SLC assured us that while it has direct accountability for detecting individual fraud, if it identifies other risks, for example within a provider, something more systemic, or concerns linked to organised crime, it has a duty of care to share that information.68 64 Qq14, 16 65 Qq16–17, 38 66 Q77 67 Q14 68 Qq11, 64 16 Student loans issued to those studying at franchised higher education providers