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Prescription hike 'not a lot to ask'

Contributions to meds will rise by a third

Government is defending a planned increase in fees for prescriptions and other healthcare services.

Under new proposals, the contributions residents pay towards their medicines will rise by a third.

Annual prepaid prescription vouchers are set to increase by £6.

Pensioners under the age of 75, and pregnant women, would no longer be exempt from the contributions.

Fees covering dental treatment and eyesight tests are also set to increase.

But the Health and Social Care Minister, Kate Beecroft, denies the changes will hit those worse off.

A public consultation on the plans is running until 5 September.

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