Skip to content

Campaign win! Free prescriptions age frozen at 60

Published on 26 June 2023 08:52 AM

Press Release: Campaign win! Free prescriptions age frozen at 60

Age UK Barnsley are delighted that following hard work across the Age UK Network over recent years, the government has confirmed that the qualifying age for free prescriptions will remain at 60.

Commenting, Age UK Barnsley CEO Debby Bunn said:

“The announcement of a freeze in the qualifying age for free prescriptions will make a huge difference to older people here in Barnsley, especially those who are in poor health and living with long-term conditions and are also struggling to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis.

“Thanks to all those, right across the Age UK network, who came together to make this happen.”

<ENDS>

Notes for Editors

Background

  • The Government announced it was consulting on the option to increase the age for free prescriptions from 60 to 66. We were concerned that this was an unnecessary financial burden to place on older people, particularly those older people on modest incomes or managing multiple long-term conditions. If the government made this change, 2.4 million people over 60 would have been affected and forced to consider not taking important medication.
  • In response to the government’s consultation, Age UK National launched the #BitterPillToSwallow campaign and published the Behind the Headlines report, which detailed the potential impact on older people and the concerns they shared with us. We also collated responses from older people and our campaigners to submit collectively to the government’s consultation.
  • We’re delighted to say that the government has now announcedthat the age for free prescriptions will not change and will remain frozen at 60. This is a huge win for older people and a result of a significant coordinated effort across the Age UK Network. This news will no doubt come as a relief to the older people we represent, especially in the middle of the cost of living crisis. Hopefully they are also reassured knowing that the Age UK Network is able to respond so swiftly to such significant issues for older people to help support their wellbeing.

 

General

  • Age UK Barnsley is an independent local charity committed to supporting older people in the Barnsley area.
  • We are a brand partner of the national Age UK charity but are fiercely independent and focused on delivering high-quality, inclusive services for residents and communities in Barnsley.
  • You can find out more about the services we provide on our website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/barnsley/our-services/