Keir Starmer freezes prescription fees!
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pulled a dad‑joke move by locking prescription costs at the current rates: £9.90 per item. It’s a cool (ha!) first freeze in three years.
What the numbers look like
- Three‑month prescription pre‑payment certificate (PPC): £32.05
- 12‑month PPC: £114.50
So, the NHS expects to save about £18 million in 2026.
Why this matters
On a visit to a Lancashire health centre, Starmer told patients that, “freezing the charges means nobody has to pay more than £10. That’s a huge help when the cost‑of‑living crisis feels like a Monday with a heavy load.” He added that it sits among other measures – school‑uniform caps, wage hikes, and new breakfast clubs that could save families ~£450.
Health Secretary’s take
Wes Streeting said the plan puts working people first: “Freezing the fees will return money to millions of pockets, move care closer to homes, and keep the NHS fighting for a better future.”
Finance Minister’s point of view
Rachel Reeves highlighted the £26 billion boost, lighter waiting lists, better staff wages, and the sudden £18 million reprieve from frozen prescriptions.
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