PRESCRIPTION CHARGES FOR APPRENTICES

Early day motion 727, tabled 18 November 2015 by Lord McCabe (Labour). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes that those on apprenticeships aged 16 to 18 or 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship, earn only £3.30 per hour but are required to pay for their prescriptions, whereas those of the same age but in full-time education receive free prescriptions; considers this a serious barrier to access to health care for such groups and a disincentive to those wishing to commence an apprenticeship; calls on the Government to make free prescriptions available for this group on the same basis as their contemporaries in full-time education; further notes that this is a particular problem and serious disincentive for young people who suffer from chronic conditions requiring regular medication, such as colitis and Crohn's disease; and notes that it would be consistent with the findings of the Prescription Charges Coalition Report - Paying the Price, 2013, if the Government were to pay particular attention to the needs of such groups.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.