Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the recruitment of (a) podiatrists and (b) other allied health professionals; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to measure what impact the COVID-19 outbreak has had on the recruitment of podiatrists and other allied health professionals.

The Government is addressing the immediate and long-term recruitment of podiatrists and other allied health professionals. In December 2019 we announced additional maintenance grant funding, which will be available from September 2020 for new and continuing students of £5,000. There will be up to £3,000 additional funding for some students, who choose to study in regions or specialisms struggling to recruit, or to help with childcare costs. In addition, new students studying a specialist subject including podiatry will be able to access a further £1,000. These grants are on top of student loan allowances and do not need to be re-paid.