§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the support available to those adults on low incomes and with child care needs who wish to enrol as(a) atrainee nurse and (b)for a nursing qualification. [4344]
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§ Mr. HuttonNational Health Service funded students are provided with a favourable level of non-repayable bursary and have their contribution to tuition fees, currently £1,050, paid in full on their behalf.
The diploma level route into nursing provides a generous level of bursary which is non-means-tested. No contribution is therefore required from the family income.
The means-tested bursary, available to degree level students, targets low income families as it provides a higher level of support for those in the greatest need. In addition, degree level students are also eligible for assistance through Student Loans (available from the Student Loan Company), Hardship Loans and NHS Hardship Grants.
Although the NHS bursary does not specifically provide help with childcare costs, extra allowances are available for single parents and for those who have dependants (including children).
A number of NHS hospitals have started schemes where they employ individuals as healthcare assistants/nursing auxiliaries, train them to entry level standard for nurse training and allow them to retain their salary while they undertake the diploma nurse training programme.
Student families on low income are also eligible to claim Working Families Tax Credit.
Assistance with childcare costs is also provided for some students through charitable organisations.
Ministers aim to provide the widest possible access to nurse training, and continue to take a close interest in ensuring that student support arrangements promote this objective.