A HEALTH union has raised serious concerns at the drop in applications for nursing courses at the University of Cumbria.

Unison says latest figures show that since the nursing bursary was scrapped two years ago, there has been a 44 per cent reduction.

Its statistics also show applications to learning disability nursing courses plunged by 63 per cent.

Unison has hit out the county’s three Conservative MPs - Rory Stewart, Trudy Harrison and John Stevenson - for voting against retaining the bursaries.

Regional organiser David Atkinson said: “The latest figures prove that our fears about the removal of the NHS bursary for nursing courses have been realised.

“It is clear on this evidence the abolition of the bursary has harmed our county. Mr Stewart, Mrs Harrison and Mr Stevenson should swallow their pride, put constituents first and join the call for comprehensive financial support for healthcare students.”