Helping the government save money

I have a prescription exemption certificate for hypothyroidism and I've never thought much about it. I have to admit we are well off and could easily pay for prescriptions, but my GP had always encouraged me to claim the exemption and I never considered not doing so. The condition doesn't affect me severely, I'm only slightly over the threshold and it's not life-threatening for me, but I got diagnosed 25 years ago and have been getting free prescriptions for most of my adult life.

It is a bit odd that very rich people could be claiming it if they happen to have certain conditions. But it probably wouldn't save that much money overall to means test it.

How does 80 year old Mabel, on state pension, remortgage her (fully paid for) home?
if she sells up……she still has to f’ing live somewhere.

How does 80 year old Mabel, on state pension, remortgage her (fully paid for) home?
if she sells up……she still has to f’ing live somewhere.

You can. It’s a statement of fact. I had to do it. So why should multi-millionaires with mansions or 2nd,3rd,4th homes be exempted?

The Prepayment Certificate costs the NHS £882m, perhaps OP wants to cut that too?

🙄

How would it save money? Have you done the maths?

The health conditions that attract free prescriptions are not isolated to one body part. They are systemic. Diabetes is not just about blood sugars. It affects everything.

Anyone in England on regular medication can get a pre-payment certificate anyway.
By insisting this person you know pays £120 a year is not going to really make any meaningful dent in debt we have.

I completely agree that waste should be addressed. I’m not only interested in ways to cut spending that involve people paying more. I’m interested in discussing all suggestions about cutting spending.

You can actually, you can sell up or remortgage to get cash.

I was referring to the OPs original post. And to say most responders are over reacting is patronising.

Surely you/the dr can just request the prescription every 6 weeks rather than every month?

I think free prescriptions for people with certain conditions should be means tested. What else could the government cut to save money?

We have a lot of examples on this very thread of why significiant cuts can't be made for policital reasons.

So many ridiculous, emotiove responses like this over the apparently shocking suggestion of removing WFA from most pensioners (th wealthiest generation) 'And how many pensioners dying from being terrified to put their heating on is an acceptable “canon fodder” under your criteria?' And yet there were no deaths reported at all in Winter 2024, not even in the Daily Telegraph!

Lots of people accusing the OP of hating her friend/having no soul. etc for daring to suggest that the list of free prescription entitlements be reviewed, which of course it should.

It's pretty obvious to anyone who checks the budget deficit, looks at population demographics and can add up that the UK will need to make signficiant budget cuts at some point, probably not too far in the future. However, when any attempt is made to even discuss it, even a tiny, insignificant thing like cutting free prescriptions for those with hypothyroidism, for example, they are screamed at and accused of all sorts. Frankly, these people need to look at the real economic and demographic situation, rather than the one that existed in 1950. They (the whole population of the UK) needs to grow up and find ways to discuss vital, although challenging, issues with each other without being rude, completely over reacting and making personal remarks.

Your post makes no sense @LilyBunch25. I've done plenty of research, as it happens but I can't control your response or take responsibility for you. You are responsible for that. As I've said quite clearly, people need to learn to discuss these subjects without over reacting.

It has to be income, you can’t pay a bill with property.

Anyone with a medical exemption certificate. Free prescriptions for over 60s is insane too.

I was on a thread about the need for the UK to become less reliant on the US - which highlighted that to do this we would have to pay more for our own defence. We cannot afford to do that without economic growth and cutting spending. This was the catalyst for me looking for ways to cut government spending. I was already interested in identifying ways to do this because I am constantly reading news articles and comment pieces talking about the fact this country is spending more than it can afford. That prompts me to want to try and figure out how cost cuts can be achieved. It is dispiriting that you cannot believe that I am honestly simply trying to identify ways in which we can help ourselves.

It is an emotive subject to many, especially when a post like this is made by someone who has not researched the subject more beforehand.

We have a lot of examples on this very thread of why significiant cuts can't be made for policital reasons.

So many ridiculous, emotiove responses like this over the apparently shocking suggestion of removing WFA from most pensioners (th wealthiest generation) 'And how many pensioners dying from being terrified to put their heating on is an acceptable “canon fodder” under your criteria?' And yet there were no deaths reported at all in Winter 2024, not even in the Daily Telegraph!

Lots of people accusing the OP of hating her friend/having no soul. etc for daring to suggest that the list of free prescription entitlements be reviewed, which of course it should.

It's pretty obvious to anyone who checks the budget deficit, looks at population demographics and can add up that the UK will need to make signficiant budget cuts at some point, probably not too far in the future. However, when any attempt is made to even discuss it, even a tiny, insignificant thing like cutting free prescriptions for those with hypothyroidism, for example, they are screamed at and accused of all sorts. Frankly, these people need to look at the real economic and demographic situation, rather than the one that existed in 1950. They (the whole population of the UK) needs to grow up and find ways to discuss vital, although challenging, issues with each other without being rude, completely over reacting and making personal remarks.

We have a lot of examples on this very thread of why significiant cuts can't be made for policital reasons.

So many ridiculous, emotiove responses like this over the apparently shocking suggestion of removing WFA from most pensioners (th wealthiest generation) 'And how many pensioners dying from being terrified to put their heating on is an acceptable “canon fodder” under your criteria?' And yet there were no deaths reported at all in Winter 2024, not even in the Daily Telegraph!

Lots of people accusing the OP of hating her friend/having no soul. etc for daring to suggest that the list of free prescription entitlements be reviewed, which of course it should.

It's pretty obvious to anyone who checks the budget deficit, looks at population demographics and can add up that the UK will need to make signficiant budget cuts at some point, probably not too far in the future. However, when any attempt is made to even discuss it, even a tiny, insignificant thing like cutting free prescriptions for those with hypothyroidism, for example, they are screamed at and accused of all sorts. Frankly, these people need to look at the real economic and demographic situation, rather than the one that existed in 1950. They (the whole population of the UK) needs to grow up and find ways to discuss vital, although challenging, issues with each other without being rude, completely over reacting and making personal remarks.