Protect free NHS prescriptions for over 60s
46,495 people signed this petition to the UK Parliament after it opened on 18 August 2021; it closed on 18 February 2022. The Government responded on 28 January 2022. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 6 March 2023.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Protect free NHS prescriptions for over 60s
Continue to give free NHS prescriptions to over 60s. The Government is consulting on aligning the upper age exemption for NHS prescription charges with the State Pension age (SPA), which would render many people in their 60s ineligible.
Over 60s are generally more susceptible to health issues, and after pension age, have less money available to pay large sums for repeated prescriptions.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 28 January 2022; the petitions site lists the Department of Health and Social Care as responsible. Its summary:
89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge. People who pay for their prescription charges and need many prescription items can save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).
The opening 383 words of the 597-word response:
This Government values our older society and recognises their health, social care and economic needs. This petition, which currently stands at 43,077, and the consultation to align the upper exemption age from prescription charges with the state pension age that received over 117,000 responses, are testament to the strength of feeling within our community and we are encouraged to see so many people expressing their views.
At this time, no decision has yet been taken on the consultation. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is considering the results carefully and an announcement setting out the Government’s response and course of action will be made in due course.
The Government would like to stress its commitment to keeping the NHS sustainable whilst protecting the most vulnerable. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge, and extensive arrangements are in place to help those most in need. Eligibility for these exemptions depends on the person’s age, whether they are in receipt of a war pension or certain benefits or tax credits, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, or have a qualifying medical condition. Partners and dependents of the person receiving certain benefits are entitled to free prescriptions too. It is estimated that 34% of those in the age range 60-65 would be exempt from prescription charges if the upper age limit for free prescriptions was raised in line with the state pension age.
People who may not be exempt, but who are on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). This Scheme provides help with health costs on an income-related basis. Those who are exempt from charge for income-related reasons would retain their exemption under the proposals.
For people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items, they can save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). These can be purchased for either 3 or 12 months and give access to all the NHS prescriptions needed during the period of their validity. A 12-month PPC will save money if more than 11 prescription items are needed in a year, can be paid for in 10 monthly instalments and costs a little over £2 per week when spread over a year.
Read the full response on the petitions site.
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 649 constituencies on the boundaries used until the 2024 general election. The largest number, 720, came from Harrow East.
46,345 of the signatures were from the UK and 150 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Harrow East | 720 |
| Brent North | 607 |
| Leicester East | 520 |
| Harrow West | 442 |
| Ilford North | 426 |
| Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner | 383 |
| Hendon | 295 |
| Leicester South | 281 |
| Ilford South | 277 |
| Christchurch | 275 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 10,405 |
| North West | 7,056 |
| South East | 5,725 |
| East of England | 4,433 |
| East Midlands | 4,218 |
| West Midlands | 4,038 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 3,691 |
| South West | 3,302 |
| North East | 1,919 |
| Scotland | 386 |
| Wales | 369 |
| Northern Ireland | 77 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 6 March 2023. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/594390.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
5e7a8a5ac9647a35… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.