BMA: Student debt issue must be addressed

The government has been warned to address the rising level of student debt faced by medical degree graduates in order to avoid a "crisis".

A statement from the British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed concern over the findings of a new survey by Push, showing a growth in the level of graduate debt faced by UK students.

Will Seiligman, chair of the BMA's student finance committee, quoted estimates from the organisation suggesting that medical undergraduates are relying on around 15,000 pounds worth of support from their parents over the course of their degrees, which is causing many to struggle financially.

He stated that action must be taken to prevent medical courses becoming closed off to only the rich, rather than anyone with the requisite talent.

"The government must do more to address the student debt crisis that we are heading into – or it risks failing the next generation of aspiring doctors," Mr Seiligman said.

This comes after the BMA welcomed the Hughes Report into widening access to higher education, upon its publication last month.