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From The Socialist newspaper, 12 January 2022
Free prescriptions? Maybe when you're older
(Click to enlarge)
Derek McMillan, Worthing, West Sussex
The government has a proposal on the table to raise the qualifying age for free medical prescriptions from 60 to 66. Of course, once they have raised it to 66, it will be 67, 68... the sky's the limit.
Prescriptions already cost the best part of £10. This is not for the prescription but for each item on the prescription. This is financially crippling for those with multiple health conditions.
It is most likely that people will pick and choose which items to buy, and they may decide they cannot afford any of them. The impact on the NHS could be catastrophic.
The government thinks old people deserve the right to die and they will give it to us whether we like it or not.
This government has made U-turns before, they can be shamed and forced into making another.
A bit of support from the Labour Party would be nice... in your dreams perhaps.
Support candidates like the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition who are not afraid to fight for our rights.
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Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 12 January 2022:
News
Super-rich get richer, while we can't make ends meet. Join the fightback!
Blow to establishment as jury backs Colston Four
Covid, stress and cutbacks fuel school staff shortages
Tories concede under cladding pressure but don't go far enough
Low pay, stress and Covid drive: NHS staff crisis
Shameless Johnson partied through lockdown
Energy price crisis: nationalise energy giants to save us from £600 hit
Energy bosses: 'Jump, cuddle and eat porridge while we raise prices'
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Working-class revolt only suppressed by massive mobilisation of troops
Solidarity with workers protesting in Kazakhstan
Campaigns news
Protests against BBC transphobia
Leeds People's Budget: We beat council cuts before, we will again
Communities fight back against Rio Tinto mine
North London NHS - "It's going to be us who saves it"
Southampton student vote for online exams must be accepted
Workplace news
Coventry bin workers' pay strike
10,000 tube workers vote to strike over jobs, terms and pension cuts
East Mids rail conductors force concessions, train managers' dispute continues
Carmarthenshire gritters take action as Plaid-led council reneges on agreement
Jobcentre Coronavirus outbreak leads to reps meeting call
South Yorkshire bus strikes spreading and getting stronger
Weetabix workers defeat 'fire and rehire' and ballot on improved pay offer
Invergordon Royal Mail mutiny wins
Reviews
Don't Look Up: An entertaining satire on corporate power and the US establishment
Anne: Hillsborough and the fight for justice
Money Heist: A Robin Hood tale set in modern-day capitalism
Readers' opinion
War criminal Tony Blair knighted
Bullying weighing room culture at the races
Free prescriptions? Maybe when you're older
Obituaries
Obituary - Ethan Bradley 1993-2021
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