Labour ministers have not ruled out plans to scrap free prescriptions for over-60s in England – in a move that could raise more than £1 billion for the NHS over five years.
The Government could raise the qualifying age for free prescriptions to 66, aligning it with the state pension age.
The potential change comes amid growing tensions between the Government and pensioners following recent cuts to winter fuel payments.
Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has been challenged to provide clarity on whether the policy will change before the next election.
Labour ministers have not ruled out plans to scrap free prescriptions for over-60s in England – in a move that could raise more than £1 billion for the NHS over five years
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Currently in England, all people aged 60 and over are exempt from prescription charges, which stand at £9.90 per item dispensed.
The exemption is part of a wider scheme that includes children, pregnant women and those with specific medical conditions such as cancer, epilepsy and diabetes.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “There are no plans to amend any of the prescription charge exemptions.”
The spokesman added that the current system ensures “everyone can access the vital medicines they need.”
An impact assessment found the proposed changes would generate £225 million annually for the NHS, totalling £2.23 billion over a decade.
Officials calculated that reinvesting these funds into the health service would yield benefits worth £8.45 billion during the same period.
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However, the assessment warned that individuals aged between 60 and 65 would face annual prescription charges of between £50 and £100.
The Conservative government previously considered similar changes in 2021 but abandoned the plans following opposition from pensioners.
Ministers at the time cited the cost of living crisis as their reason for maintaining the current system.
Health minister Karin Smyth responded to questions about prescription exemptions, stating: “There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions.”
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan MP expressed serious concerns about the Government’s stance.
“It’s deeply concerning that the Government will not rule out removing free prescriptions for the over-60s,” Morgan said.
She added: “Pensioners can’t afford yet another blow after being betrayed by the Conservative Party and being hit again by the Labour Government this year.”
Morgan called on the Government to “set pensioners’ minds at rest and commit to retaining the free prescription policy.”
The Government’s use of “no plans” language has raised concerns following recent policy reversals.
Just weeks before cutting winter fuel payments for 10 million retirees, Labour had insisted it had no plans for changes.
Currently in England, all people aged 60 and over are exempt from prescription charges, which stand at £9.90 per item dispensed
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Similar assurances about tax policies were given during the election campaign, before Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £40 billion in new taxes in the Budget.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also demonstrated this pattern, stating she had no plans to increase university tuition fees shortly after the July election.
Last month, however, she announced a £285 annual increase in fees to £9,535.
