Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the withdrawal of the nursing bursary on the number of applications for nursing degree courses in England.

The department is working with relevant bodies across health and education to monitor the effects of the healthcare funding reforms, including the impact on application numbers.

There is still strong demand for nursing courses. While the latest UCAS figures for 31 August 2018 show that English acceptances to nursing courses have fallen by 3.7% compared to the previous year, there are still more applicants than places available for them.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working with Health Education England and the university sector to ensure students continue to apply for courses up to the end of clearing in October 2018 and in future years.

We have also opened new work-based learning routes into the nursing profession for those who may not be able to study full-time.