FORMER Tory MP Ann Widdecombe got into a spat on Politics Live after she dismissed the fact prescriptions are free in Scotland.
Widdecombe – who was also a member of the Brexit Party - got into an argument with the SNP’s David Linden when she tried to argue the NHS is not always free at the point of reception.
As she made the point people have to pay for prescriptions, Linden hit back and said this is not the case in Scotland, to which Widdecombe replied “let’s put aside Scotland for a minute and let’s have a grown up debate”.
Widdecombe, 75, said: “Can we please get over this idea that the NHS is free to all at the point of reception - it’s not.”
Linden replied: “When did you last pay for NHS services?”
Widdecombe said: “A very long time ago. You have to pay prescription charges.”
"Lay aside Scotland for a moment, let's have a grown-up debate!" Former Tory and Brexit Party politician Anne Widdecombe dismisses the fact that NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland, when challenged by @DavidLinden.#PoliticsLive pic.twitter.com/Gq57unFLTO
— Olaf Stando 🌻 (@olafdoesstuff) January 25, 2023
Linden then highlighted: “Not in Scotland you don’t.”
Widdecombe then said: “Let’s put aside Scotland for a minute and let’s have a grown-up debate.”
Linden sarcastically pointed out how she was suggesting ignoring Scotland in a discussion about the NHS before she went on to say most people pay for their dentistry and claimed there were “millions of people” who would say the NHS is not always free.
People do not have to pay for a standard NHS dentistry check-up in Scotland either, but it costs £23.80 in England. People who are under-26 in Scotland do not have to pay for necessary dental care at all.
Eye tests are free in Scotland as well, when English people pay between £20 and £30 for this service.
