§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what grants are made available to student midwives. [35508]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 12 February 2002]: National health service bursaries are available to those accepted onto NHS-funded pre-registration midwifery training programmes at both diploma and degree levels.
Those undertaking the diploma-level qualification receive a non-means tested bursary (currently £5,305 (£6,232 in London)), while those on the degree-level programme receive a means tested bursary (current rate £2,098 (£2,578 in London)) and student loan. Degree-level students receive additional payments to take account of the longer length of academic year undertaken by health professional students and for both groups additional allowances are available to older students, single parents and others with dependants.
In addition the NHS meets all students' liability for a tuition fee contribution (currently £1,075) on their behalf, in full and without means testing.
With effect from September 2001 the basic bursaries were increased by 10.4 per cent. coupled with a 2.4 per cent. inflation increase in the additional allowances and other elements of the bursary scheme. This was the biggest increase since the introduction of the bursary more than 10 years ago.
491W
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist to help student midwives complete their courses in the event of financial hardship. [35507]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 12 February 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 851W, which detailed the additional support available to student nurses who experience financial hardship. The same package is available to student midwives experiencing similar difficulties.