Can employer make salary deductions without written consent?

[Charmless man]

Long story cut fairly short. Can my friends(!) employer deduct money from his wages for a course he's been unable/unwilling to complete?

Essentially, a friend was asked if he wanted to do a training course. He said he was interested. Some colleagues started the course 2-3 months before him and aired reservations that it was a load of carp and not relevant to their roles/business. Due to this he stated he was not keen to sign up as he noticed a fee of ~£270 if a learner failed to complete the course. He was asked by his then boss (since left) and the tutor to give it a go. He had a go at the first module which wasn't marked properly by the moderator then essentially gave up on it as it was as his peers stated.

The question is (ignoring black marks against names) can his employer legally deduct money from his pay if no contract/paperwork was signed? The employer is stating that as one module was attempted he essentially agreed to the terms of the contract?

Sounds a bit off to me. I just wondered what the legal position would be?

[bapa]

No. Needs a signature.
N.B If he's signed a contract of employment, read it carefully to see if there is something in there.

[Charmless man]

Thanks for posting, very helpfull.