NHS prescription charges to be frozen in boost for millions

NHS prescription charges in England will be frozen for the first time in three years - keeping the cost below a tenner.

Keir Starmer described the move as "significant" while Health Secretary Wes Streeting it will "put money back into the pockets of millions of patients" with £18million in savings. The current charge for a prescription is £9.90 after a hike of around 2.6% last year but this year the cost will be frozen, the government said.

Around 89% of presciptions are already handed out free of charge to certain groups including children and pregnant women - but the freeze will help those regularly paying for medicine. The Department of Health and Social Care also said three month and annual prescription pre-payment certificates will be frozen for 2025/26.

A three-month prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC) will have the same cost as now, at £32.05, while a 12-month one will remain at £114.50. The cost of the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) certificate is also frozen.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Starmer said: "Today we are freezing prescription charges so that means they won't go over £10 and that is really significant, because very many people have to pay for prescriptions. There's a sort of cost-of-living crisis that is still very challenging for people, so this is an important measure in that.

"It's not the only measure of course - we are taking steps on school uniforms to limit the cost of school uniforms, we're driving up the minimum wage, we've got breakfast clubs coming on stream, that's something we announced last week, which will save families about £450. Each of these, in their incremental way, will ease the pressure that people feel because of the cost-of-living crisis."

Mr Streeting said: "This government’s plan for change will always put working people first, and our moves today to freeze prescription charges will put money back into the pockets of millions of patients.

“Fixing our NHS will be a long road – but by working closer with our pharmacies we’re saving money and shifting care to the community where it’s closer to your home. We made the difficult but necessary choices at the Budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “We promised to build an NHS fit for the future, and that started with the £26 billion funding boost I delivered at the Budget, to repair and improve the many vital services it provides.

“Since then, waiting lists are falling, staff are better paid and supported, and today, £18 million has been kept in patient’s pockets by freezing prescription charges – easing the cost of living through our Plan for Change, delivering for all.”