Responding to the Health Secretary's announced expansion of widening participation initiatives to help young people from disadvantaged areas get into medicine, BMA medical student committee co-chairs Elgan Manton-Roseblade and Henry Budden said:

“Funding and expansion of widening participation initiatives that help smash the class ceiling in medicine is a much-needed step forward, but we still have a long way to go.

“Opening the door to medical school is essential, but we must also give these students the financial support they need during their studies to make it to graduation day. Our 2025 finding that four-in-ten medical students have considered leaving their course because they can’t afford it shows how urgently we need full maintenance loan funding.

“On top of this, widening participation entrants are the doctors hit hardest by staggering student loan debt once they start their NHS career. The footing is not equal, and the BMA stands ready to work with the government to level out the playing field.”

Notes to editors

More information on the BMA medical student committee's 2025 survey on student finances can be found here. 

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.