(2) what recent discussions he has had with student bodies other than the National Union of Students on nursing degrees.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the National Union of Students on nursing degrees.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council, following wide consultation, announced in September 2008 the principle that there would be a future requirement that the minimum academic level to register as a nurse, for those who train in the United Kingdom, would be a nursing degree.
We strongly support this principle. Following a period of stakeholder engagement, including with the Royal College of Nursing and Unison who both have student nurse membership, we announced on 12 November 2009 that all new nurse pre-registration education programmes in England will become degree-level by 2013.