Prices
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the answer of 2 March 2026, to Question 113803, whether there are specific sectors in which the Government plans to introduce income-based pricing of utilities or merit goods.
Answered by Blair McDougall
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has no plans to introduce income-based pricing for utilities or merit goods for specific sectors.
Merit goods like essential healthcare, state schooling, and primary education remain free at the point of use for everyone, independent of income. For supplementary merit goods that require flat fees—such as NHS prescriptions and dental checkups—the government maintains fixed prices rather than income-scaled pricing.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →