Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, welcomes confirmation from the Government that free prescriptions will continue for people aged 60 years old and over, following consultation on the upper age limit.
The announcement comes in response to a consultation launched by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2021 looking at whether the age free prescriptions become available should be aligned with the State Pension age, which is currently 66.
The GP-turned-MP, Dr Evans, has welcomed the confirmation on this after he raised concerns about the impact this would have on residents across Hinckley and Bosworth.
Following the consultation and in light of a number of factors, including current cost of living and increased medical needs due to an ageing population, the Government has decided to freeze the age at 60, which comes as a relief for many in Hinckley and Bosworth.
Prescription charge exemptions will also remain in place for those aged under 16 or aged 17 and 18 but in full time education, while those in receipt of certain benefits can also receive free prescriptions.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “There was some concern that this was as foregone conclusion. It’s right to explore these options and review them periodically. The Government has come to the right conclusion given the circumstances and I know many people in Hinckley and Bosworth, who wrote to me about this, will share that opinion.”
Neil O’Brien, Minister for Health and MP for Harborough, said “This Government recognises the pressures with the cost of living caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That’s why we are providing cost of living help worth £3,300 on average per household over last year and this, among the most generous help anywhere in Europe.
“It’s also why we have decided to maintain the prescription exemption age where it is. Nine out of 10 prescriptions are already free at the point of use and on top of that we also provide financial help to others on low incomes who don’t automatically get prescriptions for free.”
