Quote Originally Posted by JamesWales View Post
There is only a finite amount of money though. Free prescriptions is undoubtedly nice but the poorest in England get them anyway. In Wales we choose to give them to everyone. Again, a nice to have sure but arguably not the best use of money.

The best argument I have heard for it was that it would cost more to administer it if it was means tested. I'm not sure that's true if you base it on pre existing benefits and that also is an argument for universal benefits for everything
It goes too far, no free Calpol or free gluten-free bread and crackers, and probably loads of other things that people could buy, but why bother when they can get a free prescription?