Labour opens door to scrapping free prescriptions for over-60s
The government has left the door open to ending free prescriptions for people over 60, as part of efforts to raise additional funds for the NHS. Ministers have not ruled out a future change that could see the qualifying age increased to align with the state pension age of 66.
Critics have accused the government of targeting older people through cuts to winter fuel payments and the refusal to provide compensation to the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners.
Currently, in England, all individuals over 60 are exempt from prescription charges, which stand at £9.90 per item. Raising the age threshold to 66 could generate over £1 billion in additional revenue for the NHS over the next five years.
Ian Byrne, a former Labour MP now serving as an independent, questioned ministers about potential changes to the exemptions. In response, Karin Smyth, a health minister, stated: “There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions.”
The Conservative Party previously explored equalizing the age for free prescriptions with the state pension age in 2021 but abandoned the proposal after facing strong opposition from pensioners. An impact assessment conducted at the time suggested the move could generate £225 million annually for the NHS, totaling £2.23 billion over ten years. Officials also estimated that reinvesting this revenue in the health service could create benefits worth £8.45 billion over the same period.
However, the change would have imposed an average annual cost of £50 to £100 in prescription charges for those aged 60 to 65. Last year, Tory ministers decided to retain the current rules, citing the ongoing cost-of-living crisis as a key factor.
When asked about Labour’s stance on the issue, a Department of Health spokesperson reiterated: “There are no plans to amend any of the prescription charge exemptions. Children, those aged 60 and over, pregnant women, and individuals with medical conditions like cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes remain exempt from charges, ensuring that everyone can access the vital medicines they need.”
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, expressed alarm over the government’s refusal to rule out changes. She stated: “It’s deeply concerning that the government will not guarantee free prescriptions for the over-60s. Pensioners cannot afford yet another financial burden, especially after being let down by the Conservative Party and facing additional challenges under the Labour government this year. The government must provide clarity and commit to retaining the free prescription policy.”
The use of the phrase “no plans” has fueled speculation about potential policy changes. Labour previously assured the public it had “no plans” to alter winter fuel payments, yet the government later withdrew them from 10 million pensioners.
Similarly, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated after the July election that there were no plans to increase university tuition fees, only to announce a £285 annual hike to £9,535 a few months later.
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