Opposition Day — NHS Bursaries — 4 May 2016 at 16:14

The majority of MPs voted against student bursaries for those seeking to enter healthcare professions.

The motion rejected by the majority of MPs was:

• That this House
• recognises the contribution of student nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and other healthcare staff;
• has serious concerns about the potential impact of removing NHS bursaries on the recruitment and retention of staff; and
• calls on the Government to drop their plans to remove NHS bursaries and instead to consult on how they can best fund and support the future healthcare workforce.

In December 2015 the Government announced^[1]:

• From 1 August 2017, new nursing, midwifery and allied health students will no longer receive NHS bursaries. Instead, they will have access to the same student loans system as other students

At the time of the vote Government advice^[2] stated:

• If you’re eligible for an NHS bursary, the NHS pays your standard tuition fees.

While bursary eligibility is linked to eligibility to have tuition fees publicly funded, tuition fees are not paid via the bursary but by the NHS Education Commissioner^[3]

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• [1] NHS bursary reform. Gov.uk website
• [2] NHS bursaries, What you'll get page on Gov.uk website
• [3] Your guide to NHS Student Bursaries 2016/17, NHS Business Services Authority

Debate in Parliament |