Conservatives promise not to cut free prescriptions in Wales if elected

The Conservatives have promised not to do away with free prescriptions in Wales if they are elected to form Wales’ next government at the Senedd election.

Free NHS prescriptions were brought in for people in Wales in 2007, and the Conservatives have officially opposed them until now. Prescriptions are not free in England.

Welsh Labour have branded the change of heart on free prescriptions from the Tories a “pre-election stunt” and told voters not to fall for a “swindle”.

But the Conservatives said it was part of a “plan to build a better Wales for both young and old”, and part of a package of measures they said would support older people.

As part of the plan, Welsh Conservatives will introduce an Older People’s Bill in the next Senedd, which will include a legal requirement for public sector bodies to consult with older people when making decisions which affect their lives.

‘Better Wales’

As well as maintaining free prescriptions, the party’s pledges of support for older people in Wales include:

• Maintaining Free bus travel
• Promote Free entry to CADW sites for the over 75s
• Pilot free rail travel for over 75s
• Run annual national awareness campaigns against elder abuse, age discrimination and scams and swindles
• Ensure that older people can access Welsh Government funded work programmes

Announcing the plans, the Welsh Conservatives’ Older People’s Champion, Janet Finch-Saunders said: “I’m delighted to announce the Welsh Conservative plans to support older people across Wales as we look to support and rebuild our communities after the pandemic.

“We will help older people across Wales remain active members of their family, community and society, whilst providing security for their future by maintaining free prescriptions and free bus travel.

“We will promote free entry to CADW sites and remove all age discrimination and ensure that older people can access Welsh Government funded work programmes.

“After 22 years of Labour, it’s time for change and the Welsh Conservatives have a plan to build a better Wales for both young and old.”