“Students – including trainee nurses – are losing hundreds of pounds when they move over to Universal Credit, because the new all-in-one benefit classes student loans as a from of income.
The Royal College of Nursing is now advising its students to avoid moving to the new Universal Credit system until it is compulsorily rolled out in their area, reports Nursing Notes. One student nurse told Nursing Notes her family was around £170 a month because of Universal Credit, and she was worried she may not be able to continue her studies.
The UK is already facing a nurse shortage, with the Nursing Times reporting that parts of the NHS are hiring only one nurse for every 400 jobs advertised. In September The BBC reported the NHS staffing crisis was becoming a ‘national emergency’, with then health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying Brexit was to blame.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that, despite having to be paid back, the maintenance element of the student loan, which is intended to cover living expenses such as rent and bills, is classified as ‘unearned income’ and would impact a Universal Credit award. …”
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/universal-credit-leaves-trainee-nurses-2439029
East Devon Watch 