Free prescriptions for 60 year old

whitesatin

Buzby wrote: »

The same too for Scotland.... And some people wonder why we're voting YES?

I am Scottish although no longer live there but do take an interest. I wonder if it is feasible that free prescriptions can be sustained should there be independence.

I will be watching with interest although, talking to friends and family up there, I think it is unlikely that it will all happen anyway.

weatherlobe

If Councils can provide free bus passes for the over 60's surely it should provide free parking for them as an alternative to those who never avail themselves of the passes.

Pollycat

weatherlobe wrote: »

If Councils can provide free bus passes for the over 60's surely it should provide free parking for them as an alternative to those who never avail themselves of the passes.

I don't know about other countries within the UK but in England, the free bus pass is linked to state pension age so although some people got their pass at age 60, everyone now has to wait until then.

For example, I reached 60 almost a year ago but I won't get my free bus pass until I'm almost 65.

So if they can't afford to provide free bus passes to those people over 60, you're unlikely to get free parking because you're over 60 but don't use your free bus pass.

zygurat789

weatherlobe wrote: »

If Councils can provide free bus passes for the over 60's surely it should provide free parking for them as an alternative to those who never avail themselves of the passes.

Absolutely not.
Apart from the CO2 issue and the grossly overcrowded state of our urban roads anyone who has a level of income that will sustain a car should pay for all the expenses.
The "free" bus pass has to be paid for out of taxation ie by you and me. There is already far too much universal benefit payments, I'm all in favour of the state providing a safety net but over the last 15 years the politicians seem to have bought votes by paying everybody for everything.
All these payments are trying to "buck the market" which never works and the result always ends in pain.

lisyloo

I'm so excited.
I've got a prescription from my doctor and 'cos I'm over 60 I didn't have to pay for it!

I was really pleased when I was diagnosed ill enough for free prescriptions :-)
(seriously I knew the diagnosis was inevitable because of 3 family members - it was just a question of time)

There is already far too much universal benefit payments

Sometimes it cost more to means test than just give it to everyone.

anyone who has a level of income that will sustain a car should pay for all the expenses

I think your logic may be a little flawed here. Just because someone has a car doesn't necessarily mean they can afford it.
For example a disabled person provided it (and most expenses) by the state.

zygurat789

lisyloo wrote: »

Sometimes it cost more to means test than just give it to everyone.

It does now because of the way our unimaginative civil service set things up. I could suggest a much cheaper way.




I think your logic may be a little flawed here. Just because someone has a car doesn't necessarily mean they can afford it.
For example a disabled person provided it (and most expenses) by the state.

If someone has a car and can't afford it why should I help them pay for it?
And you think my logic is flawed!!
Disabled get everything either subsidised or free especially parking round our way, so they can't be included.

pollypenny

weatherlobe wrote: »

If Councils can provide free bus passes for the over 60's surely it should provide free parking for them as an alternative to those who never avail themselves of the passes.

The idea is to get cars off the road and avoid congestion in towns. Hence, encouraging people to use the bus.

Murphybear

Not everyone has a good local bus service. We have a bus that doesn't run at all after 5 pm or on Sundays. It is quite a long walk into town and the return journey is up a VERY steep hill. I would love to walk but have limited mobility so run a very small car. I visit some friends who are 5 miles from the nearest bus stop.

seven-day-weekend

p00 wrote: »

Why is it that dental treatment isnt included in the over 60s savings?

xxp00

Mainly because most dentists are not NHS? Is it free for the NHS ones?

zygurat789

Murphybear wrote: »

Not everyone has a good local bus service. We have a bus that doesn't run at all after 5 pm or on Sundays. It is quite a long walk into town and the return journey is up a VERY steep hill. I would love to walk but have limited mobility so run a very small car. I visit some friends who are 5 miles from the nearest bus stop.

This is true, the answer is for more people to use busses and then companies will provide more routes so that more people can use busses etc. A good way to start such a virtuous circle is with free bus passes.