FREE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Early day motion 619, tabled 31 January 2005 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 71 members.

That this House regrets the financial pressures that students face now and will be presented with in the future; believes that students face difficult financial choices during their studies; recognises that more students than ever are working to fund basic essentials; believes that healthcare should be free at the point of need, that the cost of accessing healthcare deters many students from visiting their general practitioner, asking for a prescription, getting an eye test or dental check-up and that paying for prescription costs diverts money away from spending on basic costs such as food and study materials; believes that investing in affordable quality healthcare now will ensure a healthier generation of graduates, and will save further unnecessary investment in the future; supports the National Union of Students' campaign for accessible healthcare for all students; and believes students should be exempt from charges for prescriptions, dental care and eye tests that act as a barrier to them accessing the healthcare they need.

Signatures by party: Labour 48, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 3, UUP 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.