§ Lord WarnerMy honourable friend the Minister of State (Ms Rosie Winterton) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement today.
We have laid before the House regulations to increase the income level at which people are entitled to full remission of National Health Service charges. payment of travel costs, National Health Service sight tests and optical vouchers, that is full help through the National Health Service low income scheme. Currently, people are entitled to full help through this scheme when their income is equal to. or less than, their requirements. From 6 April 2004, people will be entitled to full help if their income exceeds their requirements by up to 50 per cent of the prescription charge. This will mean that people whose income is only marginally above income support level will now be entitled to full help.
Entitlements to income-based help with health costs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administrations.