NHS prescription charges in England are to be frozen in the latest move by ministers to ease the cost-of-living crisis amid fears the squeeze on family incomes is damaging the Tories.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the charges – which normally rise in line with inflation – will be held this year to “put money back in people’s pockets”. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the freeze, the first for 12 years, will save patients £17m.
It means the charge for a single prescription remains at £9.35 while a three-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) stays at £30.25. Twelve-month PPCs still cost £108.10 and can be paid for in instalments.