Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the end of free covid-19 testing on the cost of living (a) in general and (b) for people in vulnerable groups.

Due to the success of the vaccination programme, access to antiviral treatments and increased understanding of managing personal risk, the population now has much stronger protection against COVID-19. The Government has worked with retailers to ensure that testing kits are available to purchase for those who still wish to test. It is in the interest of the manufacturers and retailers to set affordable prices so that a private market exists. Some individuals, such as those at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 who are eligible for antiviral treatments, will continue to receive free tests for use if they become symptomatic, in addition to National Health Service and adult social care staff and those in other high risk settings.