The government is continuing to review prescription charges to reflect new welfare and pensions legislation, health minister Simon Burns has told Parliament.

Mr Burns said changes to the state retirement age and developments following November’s universal credit white paper could affect future prescription charges. The universal credit paper, published on November 11, set out plans to change the  welfare system to bring in an integrated working-age credit, improving financial work incentives.

Mr Burns told Parliament that the government was still considering how to bring prescription charges in line with the planned new legislation.

“In particular, we are examining the implications of the introduction of universal credit in relation to those current benefits that entitle the recipient of that benefit to free prescriptions,” Mr Burns said. “We are also considering the implications of state pension age changes.”

The comments came after the government pledged to create a fairer system of prescription charges and exemptions in October.

Mr Burns said further details on the proposals would be announced in due course.