Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make free covid-19 lateral flow tests available to people visiting those who are vulnerable or who have underlying health conditions in the event that they would otherwise be unable to do so as a result of the cost of covid-19 tests.

The success of the vaccination programme and access to antiviral treatments, natural immunity and increased scientific and public understanding on managing risk, the population has much stronger protection against COVID-19.

Those at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 who are eligible for treatments, will continue to receive free lateral flow device (LFD) tests for use should they develop symptoms. Eligible adult social care staff continue to have access to free twice-weekly LFD tests and symptomatic tests. In addition, free testing will be provided for residential special educational needs and disability and care home staff and residents during an outbreak and for care home residents upon admission.

Unpaid carers and those visiting individuals in their own homes or in care homes do not need to regularly test, although they should continue to practice caution. Free tests are available for a small group of visitors providing personal care to loved ones in a care home to help prevent transmission and infection in high-risk communal settings.