Medicinal cannabis is to be made available on prescription for the first time after Sajid Javid said the Billy Caldwell case had made him re-think Government policy.

The Home Secretary said cannabis-derived products that meet safety and quality standards will be reclassified by the autumn so that they can be prescribed by specialist clinicians without the need for a special licence. In the meantime all fees for permits to use medicinal cannabis will be waived.

Mr Javid said he had taken the decision following advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

The cases of Billy Caldwell and other children who need medicinal cannabis to combat severe epilepsy and other conditions led to a national outcry after Billy - who turned 13 today - ended up in hospital because his cannabis oil treatments were confiscated by customs officers.

His mother Charlotte Caldwell said she had been left "almost lost for words", saying the policy shift was the best birthday present her son has ever received.

Mr Javid commissioned a review of the law last month, which has recommended legalisation. There will no change in the law over the recreational use of cannabis, which remains illegal.