@2000s, are you sure about this? A couple of weeks ago I attended one of these NHS-organised daylong diabetes education workshops. The guy leading the workshop explained that as a general rule they don’t prescribe strips to T2s who’re not on medication (my case). I replied that that is very short sighted and in response to a challenge of his as to why I needed to self test I said that self testing enabled me to make all sorts of informed decisions and therefore better manage my condition. I concluded by politely pointing out that the real reason for not giving out prescriptions for individuals such as me was simply the desire to economise and that, long term, this was simply falling into the trap of being penny wise but pound foolish. He then actually agreed with me.
At any rate, from what he said, it would appear that I don’t qualify for a test strips prescription.