A proposed increase in prescription charges has been delayed.

Health Minister David Ashford was due to ask Tynwald last week to approve the increase of prescription charges from £3.85 to £5, as part of a wider National Health Service and General Care Scheme.

But he withdrew the motion seeking approval, due to problems with other aspects of the scheme, saying: ’There were last-minute technical drafting issues identified in relation to some of the secondary legislation the scheme was repealing, and the way certain provisions would interact with other existing legislation.’

It would delay the implementation of the increased prescription charges and the plan to increase dental charges in line with England’s 2017-18 figures, which would see a routine visit fee go up from £18.50 to £20.60 and the basic treatment fee rise from £50.50 to £56.30.

When the revised scheme is brought back to Tynwald, the proposed increases in charges would be the same.