Even when doing it by hard copy and sending off by post which is what we have finally done, I am struck by the complexity and impenetrability of the forms.  It just seems to be designed to be as difficult and incomprehensible as possible.  Meanwhile my sons have received a “final” notification of their settlement with no account taken of parental income.

We are stressed about it and so must be everyone else caught up in the shambles.  We left a rude comment on Ed Balls’s website since it’s his responsibility.  But there has to be a better way – not least getting the on-line system working properly before launching it on an innocent public.

I have just received a very silly letter to tell me that “Student Finance Direct” is changing its name to “Student Finance England”. It says “This letter is for your information only. You do not have to do anything and the changes do not affect any of the on line services you, or the student(s) you support, currently use.”

So why are they wasting money on postage, colour printed paper, and an envelope to write to me about it? Good to know that taxpayers’ money is being so well looked after.