vacancies

In Scotland, the number of students accepted on to nursing degree courses has risen by 8 per cent since last year, when the bursary was increased to just over £8,000.

The Royal College of Nursing has warned that the increased pressure on NHS hospitals this summer is likely to have a knock-on effect on how quickly patients can receive care this winter, despite advance planning.

Britain has returned to its record high employment rate, but pay continues to fall despite a record level of unfilled job vacancies, says the Resolution Foundation.