LABOUR PARTY OPPOSE ABOLISHING TAX ON THE SICK AND DISABLED.

LABOUR PARTY OPPOSE ABOLISHING TAX ON THE SICK AND DISABLED.

NEW PRESCRIPTION FIGURES SHOW LABOUR SHOULD DROP OPPOSITION TO CHARGES ABOLITION
SNP MSP Michael Matheson – a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee – has welcomed official statistics which show that the number of prescribed items being dispensed has increased since the SNP Government cut prescription charges from £6.85 to £5.

In the first half of the current financial year (Apr-Sept 2008), the total number of items dispensed was 42.5 million items - an increase from the same period last year of 4.5%.

Commenting Mr Matheson said:
"These figures underscore that the SNP was right to start abolishing this tax on illness.
"They also show how we are right to move to their abolition over next three years when they will be eliminated by 2011.
"The SNP Government will deliver free prescriptions for all by 2011, one year ahead of our manifesto commitment. Prescription charges are a tax on ill health and are a barrier to good health for many people. No one should be financially penalised because they are ill.

"These figures show people who need prescriptions are now able to get them following the reduction in charges.
"It's now time for the Labour party to drop their opposition to abolishing this tax on ill health. These figures show that people have taken advantage of cheaper prescription charges and are accessing the medicines they need.

"It is an appalling indictment that it is the Labour party which has opposed abolishing this tax on ill health. Obviously they have forgotten the principled stances taken by the likes of Aneurin Bevan who resigned when Labour introduced charges."