Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that every (a) nursing, (b) midwifery and (c) healthcare student who signed up to undertake a paid placement in the NHS to help with the covid-19 outbreak response has their initial paid placement length agreement honoured.

The Government is extremely grateful to all student nurses who have supported the COVID-19 response, by opting into a paid placement for their time in practice at the frontline during the pandemic. Health Education England (HEE) has worked alongside the Council of Deans of Health, NHS Employers and NHS trade unions to provide clarity for students undertaking paid placements.

Any student, who is in the last six months of their programme and on a paid placement, will be fully paid until the end of their contract, unless otherwise agreed. By the end of July most final year students can qualify as registered nurses and start full time work, increasing their pay. For students in year two or the first part of their final year, employers and universities will work with them to aim to bring paid placements to a close by the 31 August. This will be part of a voluntary learning agreement between student, placement provider and university. HEE has published an agreed Frequently Asked Questions document.