Patients in England will have to pay more for NHS prescriptions from April.

Despite the cost of living crisis placing immense pressure on household budgets - and energy bills also facing a rise within weeks - the Department of Health says it too will increase its charges from next month.

Last year - for the first time in more than 10 years - prescription charges were frozen to help people in the face of rising bills.

But from April 1, the price of an NHS prescription will go up 30p from £9.35 to £9.65 for each medicine or appliance dispensed - an increase of 3.2%.

The cost of a prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC), which covers claiming multiple NHS prescriptions for a set price and for a set length of time is also going to cost more. The PPC is increasing by £1 for a three month certificate to £31.25 and by £3.50 for a 12-month certificate that will cost £111.60 from the beginning of April.

The recently introduced HRT PPC - which is designed to make it easier and cheaper for women to take regular HRT medication - will cost £19.30 for the year.

Charges for wigs and fabric supports, says the NHS, will also be increased in line with the inflation rate meaning that the following charges will also soon apply:

* Surgical bra: £31.70

* Abdominal or spinal support: £47.80

* Stock modacrylic wig: £78.15

* Partial human hair wig: £207.00

* Full bespoke human hair wig: £302.70

England is the only country in the UK that still charges for prescriptions.

Patients in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are no longer charged for prescribed medication and can receive it for free.

News of the rise has been greeted with disappointment among some of those representing people with long-term health issues.

Jon Foster, policy manager at Asthma + Lung UK, said: "It’s extremely disappointing to see prescription charges rise in England at a time when so many people with long-term health conditions like lung conditions are already struggling with the cost of living crisis. Heating, food and now prescription charges – it’s another blow to families trying to make ends meet as the basics become more expensive.

"Prescription charge hikes will only make things worse and mean many more people will face the impossible choice between eating or buying medicine that could save their life. As part of the Prescription Charges Coalition, we urgently call on the government to stop this unfair rise in prescription charges which hits the most vulnerable people hardest."