Nurses and Midwives: Numbers

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Monday 4th December 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

I think that words do have meaning, and it is important not to miss the opportunity to say how much we value those nurses who have come from the European Union as well as all staff in the NHS. One example of the value with which we hold them is the announcement in the Budget that the Chancellor will fund an Agenda for Change pay settlement for nurses.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on the increase in the number of training places, but can he give the House an assurance today on the figures for recruitment and retention of nurses in rural areas and, in particular, that their travel is fully paid for when they drive round remote parts of the country such as North Yorkshire and other isolated areas that they have to cover?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

Yes, absolutely—travel costs should be accounted for, as long as they are incurred in the course of an ordinary working day. I should also point out that extra travel costs are now supported as part of the student finance package for those who need to travel for study.