Health unions call on Matt Hancock to recognise student contribution and abolish tuition fees

Four leading unions have called on the Health Secretary to recognise the significant contribution by – and disruption to – nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare students during the current crisis by abolishing tuition fees and reimbursing those already paid. The Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and the National Union of Students (NUS) have today (6 May) written to Matt Hancock asking him to “acknowledge students’ selfless service, not only with words, but in a tangible and quantifiable way”. They are asking that he: reimburse tuition fees or forgive current debt for all current nursing, midwifery, and allied healthcare students; abolish student-funded tuition fees for all nursing, midwifery, and allied healthcare students starting in 2020/21 and beyond, in recognition that they will be supporting vital public services; and introduce universal, living maintenance grants that reflect actual student need. Royal College of Midwices chief executive and general secretary Gill Walton said: “Our students make an invaluable contribution to the health of our country, both during and after their training. Never has that been more apparent than during this current crisis, not only with those formally entering the workforce but many others volunteering in health and care settings. The policy of tuition fees for those in studying for healthcare degrees is, and always has been, a flawed one, as it does not take into account the considerabl...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release coronavirus nursing nursing students tuition fees Source Type: news