Medical students' debt up 25% to £16,000

Medical students in London are facing crippling debts as they struggle to become doctors - threatening efforts to end a recruitment crisis.

Their average debt is now £16,217, up by a quarter on last year. Many students embark on their careers as doctors owing more than £30,000. Research by the British Medical Association found one young doctor owed more than £56,000.

Many students graduate from medical school already owing the equivalent of a small mortgage at a time when European rules coming into force will mean first- year junior doctors will earn less than before.

Newly-qualified doctors in London currently earn about £30,000 - but the European Working Time Directive reduces hours and pay. Today the BMA warned the level of debt would tempt students into more lucrative careers.

Leigh Bissett, chair of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, said: "There's a risk that high debt levels will have an impact on NHS staffing."