Free Prescriptions (Hansard, 12 March 1993)

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people qualified for free prescriptions on the grounds of low income during the year 1991–92; and, of these, how many were in receipt of(a) invalidity benefit, (b) industrial injuries disablement benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance, (d) statutory sick pay, (e) sickness benefit, (f) invalid care allowance and (g) unemployment benefit.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
In 1991–92 about 4 million people were estimated to be entitled to free prescriptions on the ground of low income. The information requested on those included in this figure who were in receipt of the benefits listed is in the table.

Estimated number of people in England in receipt of (a) invalidity
benefit, (b) industrial injuries disablement benefit, (c) severe
disablement allowance, (d) statutory sick pay, (e) sickness benefit,
(f) invalid care allowance and (g) unemployment benefit, and their
partners, entitled to free prescriptions on grounds of low income
in 1991–92

1991–92 ('000s)

Benefit¹ Number of recipients
and their partners,
entitled to free
prescriptions²

(a) Invalidity benefit 126

(b) Industrial injuries disablement benefit 7

(c) Severe disablement allowance 132

(d) Statutory sick pay 8

(e) Sickness benefit 24

(f) Invalid care allowance 33

(g) Unemployment benefit 112

¹ These benefits are not mutually exclusive and people receiving more than one are included in the figures for each benefit they receive.

² May include partners over pension age who are exempt from prescription charges on age grounds.

§ Mr. John Marshall
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the number of people eligible for free prescriptions; and how many of these exemptions are(a) income related and (b) status related.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
In 1992 over 24 million people were estimated to be eligible for free prescriptions, of which about 20 million were exempt from charges on grounds of status and some 4 million were entitled to remission of charges on grounds of low income. Estimates of the number of people exempt from charges on medical grounds are not available.

Estimated number of people in England in receipt of (a) invalidity benefit, (b) industrial injuries disablement benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance, (d) statutory sick pay, (e) sickness benefit, (f) invalid care allowance and (g) unemployment benefit, and their partners, entitled to free prescriptions on grounds of low income in 1991–92
1991–92 ('000s)
Benefit¹	Number of recipients and their partners, entitled to free prescriptions²
(a) Invalidity benefit	126
(b) Industrial injuries disablement benefit	7
(c) Severe disablement allowance	132
(d) Statutory sick pay	8
(e) Sickness benefit	24
(f) Invalid care allowance	33
(g) Unemployment benefit	112
¹ These benefits are not mutually exclusive and people receiving more than one are included in the figures for each benefit they receive.
² May include partners over pension age who are exempt from prescription charges on age grounds.