Free prescriptions in UK from April 1, except England

[Mermaid]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12934153

This is no joke, in fact the cost of a script goes up from April 1.

[Murph7355]

So? Am finding it hard to get excited by this, especially as I can't believe anyone not able to afford it won't get some manner of frickin benefit to cover it.

The bigger puzzle to me is that Scotland and Wales can afford to give them free. That and Scotland being able to give free university education etc...what are they not providing that England do to enable this? Or are they covering all the other bases too?

If they are covering all the bases, perhaps some of the tax take should come to England to even the playing field a bit...

[Oakey]

Murph7355 said:

So? Am finding it hard to get excited by this, especially as I can't believe anyone not able to afford it won't get some manner of frickin benefit to cover it.

The bigger puzzle to me is that Scotland and Wales can afford to give them free. That and Scotland being able to give free university education etc...what are they not providing that England do to enable this? Or are they covering all the other bases too?

If they are covering all the bases, perhaps some of the tax take should come to England to even the playing field a bit...

So long as you're not English, right?

[Gun]

Not economically possible to have free prescriptions in England. Scotlands population is roughly 5.2m, Wales' population is roughly 3m and Englands is about 51m. Judging by the news this afternoon, even the inhabitants of Scotland and Wales are starting to worry about where their respective governments are finding the money to fund these free prescriptions

[dandarez]

Murph7355 said:

So? Am finding it hard to get excited by this, especially as I can't believe anyone not able to afford it won't get some manner of frickin benefit to cover it.

Those at the 'bottom' of the ladder can indeed get some kind of benefit, others 'just' on the ladder DON'T!

That's why last year over 800,000 prescriptions that were written were not processed because of one reason and one reason only... the cost. When a family is running to a limited budget it will cut back even on essentials. There are cases of asthmatics doing just this with prescriptions they can't afford. There is help but the publicity is pathetically poor (on purpose?)

[Murph7355]

dandarez said:

Those at the 'bottom' of the ladder can indeed get some kind of benefit, others 'just' on the ladder DON'T!

That's why last year over 800,000 prescriptions that were written were not processed because of one reason and one reason only... the cost. When a family is running to a limited budget it will cut back even on essentials. There are cases of asthmatics doing just this with prescriptions they can't afford. There is help but the publicity is pathetically poor (on purpose?)

There will always be those that fall just the wrong side of an arbitrary limit unfortunately.

One would hope that individuals are sensible enough to be able to prioritise their expenses if they happen to be the wrong side of the line (Kids. Smokes. Drinks. Bingo. Car. House etc etc etc). Personal accountability etc

[Jasandjules]

Gun said:

even the inhabitants of Scotland and Wales are starting to worry about where their respective governments are finding the money to fund these free prescriptions

The same place as always, England......

[DocJock]

As 90% of prescriptions are provided free, it probably ciosts more to administer the exemption cards than is raised from the number of paid prescriptions.

Probably cheaper to make them all free.

[sinizter]

The populations of Scotland and Wales are significantly lower than England - so they can afford to be more generous.

[Mojocvh]

Jasandjules said:

Gun said:

even the inhabitants of Scotland and Wales are starting to worry about where their respective governments are finding the money to fund these free prescriptions

The same place as always, England......

Indeed, and there are no tax payers in either country..interesting point about population levels as well, but don't let that stop certain members stropping themselves into a frenzy..

[powerstroke]

sinizter said:

The populations of Scotland and Wales are significantly lower than England - so they can afford to be more generous.

So would I be right to assume they are given more of the tax take than us english as a percentage of population???

[Sheets Tabuer]

Indeed, barnett formula IIRC

[Mojocvh]

powerstroke said:

So would I be right to assume they are given more of the tax take than us english as a percentage of population???

Naturally. Your point is? Perhaps looking inwards would give you a better perception of where your English tax pounds go.

Here's a hint.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 1st April 20:45

[driver67]

Murph7355 said:

So? Am finding it hard to get excited by this, especially as I can't believe anyone not able to afford it won't get some manner of frickin benefit to cover it.

The bigger puzzle to me is that Scotland and Wales can afford to give them free. That and Scotland being able to give free university education etc...what are they not providing that England do to enable this? Or are they covering all the other bases too?

If they are covering all the bases, perhaps some of the tax take should come to England to even the playing field a bit...

The SNP (minority governtment) are more left wing than labour. fkin lunatics.

Alex Salmond also has this grand plan for a local income tax in Scotland to replace council tax.

He is currently going through the courts to hide the impact of this 'loony left policy'

I would love an independent Scotland, but never under left wing socialists.

[sinizter]

Sheets Tabuer said:

Indeed, barnett formula IIRC

Just looked that up. I seem to be getting shortchanged round here in the East.

But it more than explains how Wales and Scotland can be so generous.

[Murph7355]

sinizter said:

Just looked that up. I seem to be getting shortchanged round here in the East.

But it more than explains how Wales and Scotland can be so generous.

Me too...

And hence about time the playing field was levelled.

[MonkeyHanger]

DocJock said:

As 90% of prescriptions are provided free, it probably ciosts more to administer the exemption cards than is raised from the number of paid prescriptions.

Probably cheaper to make them all free.

A quick bit of research on t'internet suggests that the Governmnent raises around £400 million per year from prescription charges.

Not a massive amount in the grand scheme of things and it could be easily covered by reductions in the foreign aid budget or any number of other benefits.

[jbi]

scrap devolution...

one government... your in or your out. No comprises or grey areas.

Common sense anyone?

[Brighton Derly]

Murph7355 said:

So? Am finding it hard to get excited by this, especially as I can't believe anyone not able to afford it won't get some manner of frickin benefit to cover it.

Yep -

BBC said:

Nine in 10 prescription items in England are handed out free as those exempt include the under 16s, over 60s, pregnant women and those on low incomes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12928485

[deadslow]

Jasandjules said:

The same place as always, England......

Yes, Engerland is an oil state.