Ahead of next week's Budget, Reeves confirmed that the cost of a single prescription will be frozen at £9.90 – saving patients around £12m next year. 

It comes as the Chancellor sets out the fair choices she will take at the Budget to deliver on the public's priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.

Reeves said: ‘No one should put their health at risk because they can't afford their medication, and as the cost of living still puts pressure on households I'm extending the cash freeze on prescription charges.

‘Since taking office, we've been committed to fixing the NHS, and waiting lists are down by 230,000 over the past year. At next week's Budget I will take the fair choices to deliver what matters most to the country: cutting waiting lists, cutting the cost of living and cutting the national debt.'

In addition, three-month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates will also be frozen for 2026/27.   

Health secretary, Wes Streeting, said: ‘This government will always put patients first, and our moves today to freeze prescription charges again will put money back into the pockets of millions of people.

'We've already made the made the morning-after pill available free of charge at all pharmacies, and as well as keeping prescriptions under a tenner, we're making sure you can get the care you need closer to home to keep travel costs down.

'We are fixing our NHS and making it so it's once again there for you when you need it.'