Help with student finance situation

[Ripsinead]

I worked abroad around 5-6 years ago for a period of time. Unfortunately I no longer have the payslips dating to this time, due to moving house etc.
I have emailed my former company but they do not have them.
I have a proof that I worked there, a sort of written statement of proof of employment for the dates I worked.
I completed a degree pre 2012 and a postgraduate certificate so I estimate my debt to be around 22k.
Anyway, before Christmas student finance sent me a letter saying I owe them £1500 immediately, due to this time I was abroad.
Prior to that, my student loan repayments had been very low due to my income.
Anyway, I now pay £55 per month to them and must do for another 1.5 years.
This is frustrating, and I don't understand why I have to do this. Could anyone advise? Thank you

Did you tell the student loans company that you were working abroad. You are supposed to as abroad repayments do not come out of your income automatically. So presumably you owe the repayments you should have made during that time.

I think I did, I honestly cannot remember but I'm sure I did. But if I didn't then yeah, fair enough I suppose.

You are also supposed to send them details of your income and if you earn over the minimum amount (which varies according to country) you have to make repayments manually