Labour MPs demand Matt Hancock CANCEL student debts owed by thousands of trainee nurses bravely risking their lives to save others in NHS hospitals across the country
- More than 5,000 student nurses have started working in NHS hospitals full-time
- 80 Labour MPs have backed a letter to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary
- It calls for those nurses to have outstanding debts from their studies cancelled
Some 80 Labour MPs led by Luton MP Sarah Owen have backed a letter to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, asking that those who are risking their lives should have outstanding debts cancelled
The Government was urged to wipe the student debts of thousands of trainee nurses who have dropped their studies to help the NHS save lives.
More than 5,000 student nurses from 35 universities across the country are believed to have so far answered a plea for help from the health service and taken up paid-jobs on the front line.
Now 80 Labour MPs have backed a letter to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, asking that those who are risking their lives should have outstanding debts from their studies cancelled.
Early in March it was announced that thousands of final year students would be 'invited' into clinical practice.
The letter, organised by Luton North MP Sarah Owen, says: 'In future it would be a real sign of permanent change from the government if we could see that every nurse left their training and education without any debt.
'But right now, student nurses are risking their own health to help care for people during this crisis in really difficult circumstances, managing unprecedented demand and often without the correct protective equipment.
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The letter, organised by Luton North MP Sarah Owen, says: 'In future it would be a real sign of permanent change from the government if we could see that every nurse left their training and education without any debt
'Cancelling this debt, as a first step, for this group of hardworking nurses, would be an important signal to those starting their careers during this crisis that they are valued, not just by the public and their patients, but by the government as well.'
Responding to the letter, a Government Spokesperson said: 'We are grateful to all students who choose to support our NHS during this extremely difficult time and will be ensuring all students who do opt in are rewarded fairly for their hard work.
'We urge others to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.'
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