Labour considers plan for student loan write-offs to tackle NHS staffing crisis

Nuffield Trust research estimated that write-offs would cost £230m a year for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in England and £170m for doctors. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

Newly qualified doctors and nurses in England could have their student loans written off under plans being examined by Labour to tackle the NHS’s staffing crisis.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, is considering introducing what health experts call “student loans forgiveness” to help the NHS recruit and retain more clinical staff.