Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

• “the number of PCNs issued over the last 5 years”
• “the number of PCNs issued over the last five years that relates to new style JSA”

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 16 July 2025.

On 22 July 2025 you clarified your request as follows:

I would appreciate both please. The issue relates to error rates related to JSA terminology. While the immediate issue pertains primarily to dental, a bigger data set would give more confidence. It is likely that the rates differ due to differences in the manner in which case, so please ensure that the two types are listed separately, and not combined.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested, and a copy of the information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

• Please note that during the financial year 2020/2021 no Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued. The issuing of PCNs and enquiry letters was suspended during this period, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Please also note that the NHSBSA did not issue Prescription PCNs to customers on the new style Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Exemption category prior to 2023.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.