BBC financial expert Paul Lewis has urged people to check if they qualify for free prescriptions after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed charges for the upcoming year. BBC Money Box reporter Lewis highlighted that England is the only country in the UK where most people pay for their prescriptions.

In contrast, all NHS prescriptions are free of charge in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. He stated: "Chancellor confirms England will remain only country in UK where most adults under age 60 are charged for NHS prescriptions as she freezes the cost at £9.90 per item from April. Always check exemptions, failing that see if prepayment cert will save money."

Ahead of the Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that prescription charges in England will be frozen next year. Ms Reeves emphasised that the cost of living continues to put pressure on households and "no one should put their health at risk" because they can't afford medication.

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The price of a single item will stay at £9.90, while three-month and annual pre-payment certificates will also be frozen for 2026/27. This move extends a freeze on prescription charges announced in April, which was the first in three years.

According to the Government, the latest freeze is expected to save patients £12 million next year. Ms Reeves added: "No one should put their health at risk because they can't afford their medication, and as the cost of living still puts pressure on households I'm extending the cash freeze on prescription charges."

"Since taking office, we've been committed to fixing the NHS, and waiting lists are down by 230,000 over the past year. At next week's Budget I will take the fair choices to deliver what matters most to the country: cutting waiting lists, cutting the cost of living and cutting the national debt."

England exemptions Age

You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you’re:

• Under 16


• Aged 16-18 and in full time education


• Aged 60 or over


• If your date of birth is printed electronically on your prescription, you don’t need to provide proof of your age when claiming free prescriptions. If you’re 16, 17 or 18, you may need to show proof that you’re in full time education.

Income-based benefits

You are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you’re included in an award for:

• Income Support


• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance


• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance


• If you’re getting one of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 included in your award are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions.

Pension Credits

You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you or your partner gets:

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or


• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit.

For more information on free prescriptions click here.

Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)

If a patient knows they’ll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

A PPC covers all NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items the person needs. A PPC does not cover the cost of other health items, such as wigs and fabric supports.

There are 3 PPC options:

• a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months


• a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year


• a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year.

For more information on PPCs click here.

Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), welcomed the freeze, but reiterated the organisation's call for free prescriptions. He said: "Many people choose not to collect some or all their prescription medicines because of cost, with potentially dire health consequences.

"As pharmacists, we understand the healing power of medicines. So naturally we oppose arbitrary barriers to people getting the medicines they need. The prescription charge is a tax that especially hits the working poor.

"It's good news the Chancellor is freezing prescription charges, but we've said for years that prescription medicines should be free, as they are in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are many exemptions for prescriptions but people should not be charged for vital medicines, it's a tax on being ill."

The Chancellor will deliver her Budget announcement on Wednesday November 26.