§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Reportthe current level of income below which a person may qualify for free prescriptions; what account is taken of dependants; whether income from any particular source or sources is disregarded; and whether he intends to increase the income limit when prescription charges are raised to £1 next December.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe current level is £20 a week for a single person and £31.40 for a married couple. If there are dependent children, these levels are increased by the relevant supplementary benefit scale rates. There is a disregard of £4 of the earnings of a claimant in full-time work. Otherwise the same income disregards apply as for supplementary benefit. The income levels will be raised in line with the forthcoming increase in supplementary benefit rates and118W also to take account of the increase in the prescription charge.