The cost of prescriptions will not rise this year.

With households battling to manage the cost of everything from rising food prices to escalating gas and electric bills, the Department of Health and Social Care says it is going to freeze the cost of NHS prescriptions.

Charges usually rise in line with inflation annually but the government says it will not raise prices this summer to help ease the cost of living and ensure 'medication remains accessible'.

It is the first time NHS prescription charges have been frozen for 12 years. Therefore prices will remain at £9.35 for a single script or £30.25 for a three-month prescription prepayment certificate, also known as a PPC. Twelve-month PPCs, which people can continue to pay in instalments, will also remain at £108.10.

Ministers say the decision will save people in England £17 million.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: "The rise in the cost of living has been unavoidable as we face global challenges and the repercussions of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. While we cannot completely prevent these rises, where we can help, we absolutely will."

The NHS low income scheme offers further support with prescription payments and means some people are exempt from charges. This can include:

• People aged 60 or over
• Under 16s or teens aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)
• Those with a specified medical condition and who have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• Have a continuing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)
• Those with a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
• NHS inpatients