Public show strong support for nursing student loan forgiveness scheme

Members of the public were asked by YouGov if they supported the idea of a loan forgiveness scheme for nurses who work in the NHS or other public services for a set period of time.

The results show 76% of the public support the idea, with 73% saying they think it would encourage more people to consider a career in nursing.

It comes as tens of thousands of nurse posts lay empty and applications to study nursing fell 26% in two years.

The polling also shows the public wants the Chancellor to prioritise investment in the NHS (62%) ahead of tax cuts (27%) and other issues in the budget. 

Last week, we wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt alongside MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, urging him to seize the opportunity presented by the budget on 6 March and invest in a loan forgiveness model for nursing graduates working in public services.

In 2017, when Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary, his Treasury predecessor George Osborne removed the bursary for nursing degrees, a subsidy for those wanting to join the profession. Ministers also made nursing degree students subject to tuition fees of more than £9,000 a year.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Pat Cullen said: “A loan forgiveness scheme for nurses working in the NHS and public services can stop students being shackled with debt and help attract and retain more nurses – it has huge support among the public too.

“The Chancellor has repeatedly said that he plans to deliver tax cuts in the upcoming budget, but the public don’t agree with his priorities. They want investment in the NHS above all else. That is a message that needs to be heard loud and clear before Wednesday.”

To meet the goals outlined in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the annual intake of nursing students needs to average 29,000 between 2023 and 2031. The current forecast, based on numbers for 2023/34, highlight a significant shortfall.