Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to waive the cost of covid-19 tests on compassionate grounds for people travelling internationally for (a) funerals, (b) caring duties and (c) medical reasons.

The Government is not currently considering whether to create policy to waive the costs of COVID-19 tests on compassionate grounds.

The costs of travel testing have fallen significantly since they were first introduced. Charging by private providers is based on a market model, with NHS Test and Trace testing at the mid-market level. We also offer deferred payment plans and hardship support for people who cannot afford to pay for the cost of managed quarantine and testing. In some circumstances this may be available to those who are not in receipt of income related benefits.