Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing carers who look after disabled people with (a) free prescriptions and (b) free further education and training once their caring responsibilities are over.

We have made no assessment. Approximately 89% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge and to support those with the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption, prescription pre-payment certificates allow the holder of a 12-month certificate to purchase the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.

The Government is supporting any adult, including carers, who do not have A-levels or equivalent qualifications, to access almost 400 fully funded level 3 courses, with Free Courses for Jobs. In the first year, we are investing £95 million from the National Skills Fund to provide adults with this opportunity to gain their first level 3 qualification for free, which can also benefit carers.