Hi Candi.
I've recently been diagnosed as T2 as well. On my first trip to the nurse she gave me a meter for free (she said the medical reps always leave her on or two free samples to give to patients). She also wrote me out prescriptions for testing strips, lancets and a bucket to put used lancets in - even although the meter she gave me for free came with lancets and test strips anyway.
T2's only get free prescriptions if you are taking tablets. I'm not, I'm diet only for now, so I bought a 3 month pre paid prescription online for about £28. I reckon with the prescriptions I've already had, plus the free meter, it would have come to over £28 anyway so I'm already winning. Plus of course I will not have to pay any more money for future prescriptions for the next 3 months.
The nurse confirmed to me that if in future I need to start taking medication to control my betes then the prescriptions will be free (which is why I've only paid for a 3 month pre paid prescription for now and not a whole year).
I hope that info is of use to you. I guess like most things with the NHS, it's a bit of a postcode lottery as to how good your care is.