Debt collectors are chasing me for student loan repayment

The debt recovery agency, Link, called my mother because it wanted to speak to me about my student loan. The Student Loans Company said my account had been passed to the agency. In 2006, I had agreed to repay my loan at £5 a month and have not missed a single payment. I would like some advice before contacting Link. JG, Greater Manchester Link services the loans SLC had sold in 1998. The notes on your file show your agreement was terminated in 2001 because you were two years in arrears. The full balance became due and the agency started legal proceedings. You agreed to pay £5 a month and the threat was lifted. Court costs totalling £55 were added to your debt, but you are not being charged interest on this. In September 2007 SLC contacted you about increasing your payments. It says you returned an income and expenditure form and, on the phone, agreed to pay £20 a month, though you don't remember that. You continued paying £5 but, as they were expecting £20, your account was again in arrears when Link took over in 2008. They did not have your new address but you had at the outset put your mother's address in the box for a "relative". You have now talked to Link and increased your payment to £20. You can email Margaret Dibben at [email protected] or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU and include a telephone number. Do not enclose SAEs or original documents. The newspaper accepts no legal responsibility for advice.