§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the effect on a student's entitlement to free prescriptions of(a) the award of and (b) taking out a student loan through the Student Loans Company; [12099]
(2) which categories of student are not entitled to free prescription charges. [12098]
§ Mr. MaloneThose in full-time education between the ages of 16 and 18 are entitled to free national health service prescriptions.
Any student aged 19 or over who is not entitled to free NHS prescriptions on health grounds may make a claim to the national health service low income scheme for free prescriptions on an income-related basis.
Student loans have been an integral element of the provision made from public funds for student support since September 1990. Wherever a loan would be available to a student, it is taken into account as a resource in assessing entitlement to help through the low income scheme.