§ Clive EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS would be of providing(a) free prescriptions and (b) free dental care to students in full-time education; and if he will make a statement. [52910]
§ Ms BlearsFull-time students under the age of 19 are already entitled to free prescriptions and free dental care. Some other students may be entitled to free prescriptions and free dental care on low income or maternity grounds, or to free prescriptions because they suffer from a medical1074W condition which confers entitlement to exemption from prescription charges. The estimated costs in England of extending free treatment to remaining students in full-time education are shown in the table.
£ million Free prescriptions 127 Free dental care 115 1 Approximately