• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Education Secretary Responds To Claims Free Lateral Flow Tests Are To Be Scrapped

Home> News

Updated 12:05 9 Jan 2022 GMTPublished 10:53 9 Jan 2022 GMT

Education Secretary Responds To Claims Free Lateral Flow Tests Are To Be Scrapped

Reports suggested that the NHS Test and Trace system could be scaled back in the coming weeks

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Reports have been doing the rounds over the past couple of days that lateral flow tests could soon be a thing of the past.

Currently, anyone who needs to get a quick test in England can order LFTs free of charge through the post.

However, reports this week claimed that the UK government was looking at plans for 'living with Covid', with those not experiencing symptoms forced to pay for a test.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has responded to the claims.

Speaking to Sky’s Trevor Phillips this morning, he said: "I saw that story this morning, which I was slightly puzzled by because I don’t recognise it at all. This is absolutely not where we are at.

"For January alone, we've got 425 million lateral flow tests coming in and they will continue to be available for free.

"I don’t really recognise where that story is coming from."

When asked if the government was planning on making people pay for LFTs, Zahawi said: "Absolutely not."

Fears have grown this week that lateral flow tests will no longer be free.
Alamy

This comes after reports in The Sunday Times claimed that the NHS Test and Trace system could be scaled back in the coming weeks.

According to reports, free tests would only be provided in high-risk settings such as hospitals, care homes and schools, as well as for people with symptoms.

Recently, people had been struggling to get hold of rapid tests over the Christmas period.

And spotting an opportunity, those who had managed to get a pack were spotted flogging them on auction sites for as much as £150. 

Many Brits have been unable to find any tests for home delivery, despite assurances that there are plenty available. 

After logging their details on the government website, they’ve been met with a message that says: “Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for these tests right now. 

People have been selling tests on eBay.
eBay

“The 119 service does not have access to more home delivery slots right now. 

“You cannot order tests from NHS 111 or 999.” 

Those hoping to test asymptomatically are instead encouraged to head to a 'pharmacy or collection point' to see if you can pick some up in person, while anyone with symptoms needs to book a PCR test. 

Unfortunately, a number of people spotted an opportunity here and attempted to make a bit of extra cash, turning to sites like eBay to sell the free tests for extortionate prices.

One box of ‘Unopened lateral flow test kit, 7 Tests’ was listed for a buy-it-now price of £150, with eight people ‘watching’ the item within just 24 hours. 

However, the listing was later removed from the eBay website.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Health, UK News, Politics

Dominic Smithers
Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

X

@SmithersDom

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Exact amount you'll need in savings at age 30 in order to be able to retire has been revealed

    Best start saving up, lads

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Robots make never-before-seen bottom of the ocean discovery after scientists send machines to where humans can't reach

    These are uncharted parts they've been looking at

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Vladimir Putin makes chilling WW3 warning as he says Germany are a 'wrong move' away from reaction

    He doesn't want them supplying Ukraine

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Death row inmate who survived execution attempt describes moment he thought he 'was dead'

    The execution attempt lasted over an hour

    News