A majority of those who voted Conservative in the 2019 election have urged the Chancellor to write off the student loans of nurses who commit to working in the NHS. In total, three quarters (76%) of the public backed the measure in polling conducted by YouGov ahead of Wednesday’s budget.
The Chancellor has repeatedly said that he will prioritise tax cuts in the measures announced this week. However, in the polling voters of all parties say they want him to prioritise investment in the NHS (62%) ahead of tax cuts (27%) and other issues.
A loan forgiveness scheme would see nurses have their loans ‘forgiven’ in return for working in the NHS and wider public services on the completion of their degree. It comes as tens of thousands of nurse posts lay empty and applications to study nursing fell 26% in just two years.
Support for a nurse loan forgiveness scheme was shown by all age groups, with those 65+ most in favour (78%). The scheme received majority support from the voters of all three main parties (Con, 73%, Lab, 89%, Lib Dem, 79%). The RCN says the findings demonstrate an ‘undeniable consensus’ for the Chancellor to act in the budget on Wednesday.
Out of all public sector professions, a loan forgiveness scheme for nurses was the most popular, ahead of doctors, teachers and police officers. Nearly three quarters (73%) of all respondents said writing off the loans of nurses would encourage more people to join the profession and work in the NHS.
In 2017, when Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary, his Treasury predecessor George Osborne removed the nurse training bursary, a subsidy for those wanting to join the profession. Ministers also made nursing degree students subject to tuition fee loans of more than £9k a year. Since, the numbers of people choosing to study nursing has fallen consistently, exacerbating a staffing crisis.
As well as the RCN, a loan forgiveness scheme is supported by MillionPlus, the Association of Modern Universities, and was recommended to government by academics, clinicians and experts who made up the Times Health Commission.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Pat Cullen, said:
“There is an undeniable consensus for the Chancellor to act at the budget on Wednesday. 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.”
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Notes to editors
A YouGov poll of 2125 adults in the United Kingdom was carried out between 29 February - 1 March 2024.
