Thank you for writing to me about your concerns regarding the Government’s decision to end free access to Covid 19 tests.

Throughout the pandemic, I have always put public health before party politics and will continue to do so. Therefore I think this is the wrong decision at the wrong time.

I agree that as a nation it is unrealistic to support the free tests indefinitely. However this vital resource has been removed while infections remain high and we face the risk of new strains.

Throughout the pandemic testing has been a crucial tool in keeping infections under control and preventing the need to implement further restrictions and lockdowns. They have offered the public greater personal responsibility and agency, during these very uncertain times.

If we are to live well with covid, we need to learn the lessons of the past two years, and
be prepared for a new variant or wave of infections.

Once again the public are being asked to pay more, at a time when they are already being stretched by rising energy costs.

If the Tories hadn’t wasted billions on dodgy PPE and fraudulent covid loans they would have been able to keep crucial free testing in place for longer.

I am especially concerned about the impact this will have on people who want to visit vulnerable loved ones. Therefore I have written to the Secretary of State for Health to urge the Government to reconsider this policy, and consider the impact this will have on care homes. You can see a copy of this letter below: