To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to increase the annual grant available under the Learning Support Fund for healthcare students studying (a) nursing, (b) midwifery and (c) allied healthcare professions.
Answered on
30 November 2023
The Government keeps the funding arrangements for all healthcare students under close review. At all times the Government must strike a balance between the level of support students receive and the need to make best use of public funds to deliver value for money.
On 1 September 2023, we announced a significant uplift to the travel and accommodation funding available through the Learning Support Fund, to ensure students are appropriately reimbursed for the costs of travelling for clinical placements. Eligible students will now be able to claim 50% more for their travel and accommodation expenses.
There are no immediate plans to make further changes to the scheme design.