Re-instate nursing bursary and scrap tuition fees.

Currently 41,722 nursing vacancies in the NHS. Due to the removal of bursaries, the cost of tuition fees and the amount of student loan debt and current interest rate on student loans , applications to study nursing has fallen by over 20%

" Closing the gap " Key areas for action on the health and care workforce https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-03/closing-the-gap-health-care-workforce-full-report.pdf

National Health Excutive - workforce and training

http://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/Health-Care-News/nhs-nursing-shortages-risk-becoming-a-national-emergency

Nursing Times - Rise in nurse vacancy rate in England prompts fresh warnings https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/rise-in-nurse-vacancy-rate-in-england-prompts-fresh-warnings/7025967.article

The previous funding system for nursing, midwifery and allied health profession students was not working for patients, students, or universities. Training costs were largely borne by the NHS, resulting in a capping of the number of trainees.

In August 2017, the government changed the funding system for pre-registration undergraduate nurse training. New undergraduate nursing, midwifery and allied health profession students moved from NHS bursaries to the standard undergraduate student support system. The intention of the reforms is to boost participation, secure the future supply of home-grown nurses to the NHS, and enable universities to create additional nursing and midwifery training places.

New postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery, allied health professional, and most new undergraduate dental hygiene and dental therapy students now also receive tuition fee loans and, for full-time courses, living costs support, administered by Student Loans Company, rather than NHS bursaries from 1 August 2018.

Under the standard student support system, healthcare students will typically receive up to 25% increase in financial aid whilst studying.

All eligible pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare courses are exempt from rules that normally prevent students from getting funding for a second qualification at the same level. Graduates will qualify for the standard student loan package if they wish to take a healthcare course as a second degree.

Eligible healthcare students may also be able to access a non-repayable grant of £1,000 per year if they have child dependants, exceptional support of up to £3,000 per year in the case of severe hardship and support for excess travel and dual accommodation expenses incurred by attending practice placements.