For the first time in three years, NHS prescription charges will freeze, keeping them at £9.90 for a single charge. This move is expected to save patients around £18 million each year.

People eligible for free prescriptions, like children, over 60s and those with certain medical conditions, will carry on receiving these.

Three-month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates will also be frozen for 2025-26.

Those requiring regular medicines will be able to access them for just over £2 a week when paying annual charges in instalments.

Secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting, said: “This government’s Plan for Change will always put working people first, and our moves today to freeze prescription charges will put money back in the pockets of millions of patients.

“Fixing our NHS will be a long road — but by working closer with our pharmacies we’re saving money and shifting care to the community where it’s closer to your home.

“We made the difficult but necessary choices at the budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”