Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Prescriptions for People Aged Over 60

Tuesday 19 October 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial consultation on aligning free prescription age with state pension age closed on 3 September.
  • Around 90% of prescription items in the community are provided free of charge.
  • Scottish Government funding for free prescriptions comes from existing budgets, impacting other areas of the health service.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
NHS
Context

The question stems from a consultation on aligning the age for free prescriptions with the state pension age that closed on 3 September. The concern is whether the government will keep free prescriptions for people aged over 60.

Question

If he will make it his policy to keep prescriptions free for people aged over 60. We know that low incomes are associated with worse healthcare outcomes and also that average prescription use is higher among those in more deprived areas. Will the Minister accept that increasing healthcare costs for those on low incomes will mean that health inequalities will widen, increasing the pressure on low-income families and the NHS this winter?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

The Department's consultation on aligning the age for free prescriptions with the state pension age closed on 3 September. The responses to the consultation are being reviewed, and we will outline the next steps in due course. I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I reassure her that around 90% of prescription items in the community are provided free of charge. Those who are vulnerable and on low incomes, such as those on universal credit, income support and jobseeker's allowance, already qualify for free prescriptions. It is really important that those over the threshold can also apply for the prescription prepayment certificate, where all their items will cost just about £2 a week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The government's specific policy commitment on keeping free prescriptions for people aged 60 and above was not addressed directly.

How: Responses To The Consultation Are Being Reviewed, We Will Outline The Next Steps In Due Course

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Q2 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question follows from a consultation on aligning the age for free prescriptions with the state pension age. It addresses concerns about how increasing healthcare costs will affect low-income families and exacerbate health inequalities.

Question

We know that low incomes are associated with worse healthcare outcomes and also that average prescription use is higher among those in more deprived areas. Will the Minister accept that increasing healthcare costs for those on low incomes will mean that health inequalities will widen, increasing the pressure on low-income families and the NHS this winter?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I reassure her that around 90% of prescription items in the community are provided free of charge. Those who are vulnerable and on low incomes, such as those on universal credit, income support and jobseeker's allowance, already qualify for free prescriptions. It is really important that those over the threshold can also apply for the prescription prepayment certificate, where all their items will cost just about £2 a week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The government's specific acknowledgment of the impact of rising healthcare costs on low-income families was not addressed directly.

How: Around 90% Of Prescription Items In The Community Are Provided Free Of Charge, Apply For The Prescription Prepayment Certificate

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Q3 Martyn Day SNP
NHS Scotland
Context

The question references record levels of funding by the Scottish Government for primary care, which includes free eye examinations and prescriptions for people in Scotland. The concern is whether England will follow suit.

Question

Record levels of funding by the Scottish Government for primary care will protect free eye examinations and free prescriptions for people in Scotland and will also enable the abolition of all NHS dentistry charges. Will the Minister follow Scotland's lead and commit to a similar policy for England?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Although the Scottish Government provide free prescriptions, the money comes out of existing budgets, which means it is taken from elsewhere in the health service. That may be why, at the moment, three health boards in Scotland need the armed forces' support to deal with their winter crisis.

Not addressed: The government's specific commitment or policy on free eye examinations and prescriptions for England was not addressed directly.

How: The Money Comes Out Of Existing Budgets, Taken From Elsewhere In The Health Service

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