End Of Free Prescriptions For Over 60S?

[barry1010]

"The Government is considering the elimination of free prescriptions for individuals over 60 in an effort to generate over £1 billion for the NHS over the next five years. Ministers have not dismissed the possibility of this change, indicating a willingness to explore financial reforms."

Surely the government is not that stupid.

Look in your crystal balls - will it happen?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/06/labour-opens-door-scrapping-free-prescriptions-over-60s-uk/

 

[naomi24]

I'm utterly convinced that government is stark raving mad!

[THECORBYLOON]

This link gets behind the paywall 

https://archive.ph/KUyFa

[barry1010]

Thank you, TCL

[barry1010]

I think it very likely they will raise the qualifying age to pension age and I also believe they will massively hike the cost of the pre-payment certificate 

[maggiebee]

Thank goodness I live in Scotland.

[New Judge]

No maggie. Thank the English that you live in Scotland.

[jackthehat]

Dangnabit.....😠

I have 5 items per month and until October 2023, I paid for these using a pre-payment certificate which was about £110 a year.

I reckon the government will hike the cost of a PPC in addition to raising the age for getting free.

 

 

[albaqwerty]

Labour really hate the elderly don't they?

I wonder if his majority will ever be honest enough to stop supporting his barking ideas.

[davebro3]

While it sounds drastic, if people are living longer (i.e. staying fit longer) and working longer then presumably the age limits for such benefits should rise accordingly. And if workers need regular prescriptions they may be better able to afford the pre-payment scheme than retirees.

[Ellipsis]

The annual cost for prescriptions is £114.50:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/save-money-with-a-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc/

* a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months
* a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year
* a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year

So eliminating free prescriptions for the over 60s would cost people that much, unless they also get free prescriptions for other reasons than being over 60.

[barry1010]

Some 60 - 66 year olds are unable to work either because of their health or because they are caring for their spouse or relative.  Many of those won't be entitled to qualifying benefits for free prescriptions and will be struggling financially 

[ToraToraTora]

prescription are only paid for by 10% of people anyway. Just make everyone pay £1 and it'll be a lot fairer all round.

This is nowt to do with money, it's another attack on those troublesome tory voting pensioners.

[Cloverjo]

I wouldn't call people aged 60-67 elderly. I don't think it's a bad idea to remove the free prescriptions. Why did they have it in the first place? Why not also for young mothers? People with small children? Middle-aged people? Same with the Winter Fuel Allowance.

[ToraToraTora]

"it will raise £1bn for the NHS over 5 years!" PMSL that's £200m a year! That won't pay for the bog roll for a month! If you want more money in the nhs for medical functions reform it to be efficent.

[davebro3]

they haven't said they'll do it - just haven't ruled it out...

[Togo]

Will the illegal immigrants be given free medicine and the lifestyle choice benefits claimants? 

[Togo]

//they haven't said they'll do it - just haven't ruled it out//

As soon as they do rule it out then take it as a guarantee that they will. Lying gits. 

[youngmafbog]

//Will the illegal immigrants be given free medicine and the lifestyle choice benefits claimants? //

Well of course.

Personally though I think this is just another anomoly left from earlier retirement ages (Women were 60 remember) so making it after the retirement age(currently 66 and rising next year) seems to make sense.

I dont think it will raise as much as thye think though and even if it does as TTT so elequently puts it "It wont pay for the bog roll for a month".  e.g. peeing in the ocean.

[youngmafbog]

//The annual cost for prescriptions is £114.50//

Currently yes, and for me and no doubt you, this is not a problem.

But yest again it will be those or can ill afford it that will be hit, the ones that work just enough not to qualify for benefits.  Whilst the spongers continue to get it free.

[DDIL]

If you are over 60 and in full time employment why should you get free scripts?