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Business of the House

Student debt is a persistent and growing problem, and nowhere is that more true than in nursing and midwifery, which has a high attrition rate of almost a quarter because of financial problems. Early-day motion 197, tabled by the hon. Member for Calder Valley (Chris McCafferty) following a campaign by the Royal College of Midwives, drew attention to that, and called for a non-means-tested £10,000 bursary. [That this House recognises the vital role that midwives play in the NHS; notes that many student midwives face financial problems during their training and that according to the Royal College of Midwives’ poll, around a fifth of midwives fail to complete their studies due to financial hardship; and therefore supports the RCM campaign to provide a £10,000 non-means tested bursary for all student midwives, ensuring more students are attracted to midwifery, are able to complete their course and go on to become practising midwives.] My constituent Andrea Simpson of Donington le Heath has compiled a very large petition online, which I hope to present to the House next week. Will the Leader of the House try to find an opportunity in the coming weeks for us to discuss that important aspect of finance for vocational training? People like my constituent are key to the provision of quality services in the NHS and elsewhere.