Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support manufacturing of covid-19 lateral flow tests in the UK.

In October 2020, the Government commissioned work to support the United Kingdom’s diagnostic industry, to secure a supply of lateral flow device antigen tests and increase domestic production capacity. The Make UK programme delivered two clinically evaluated and regulatory approved antigen tests​ and provided investment in capital equipment and facilities expansion at three manufacturing companies in the UK​.

The UK Health Security Agency has procured 125 million tests from UK companies and has contracts in place to procure further supplies. This represents an increase in production capacity of 3,500%. The Make UK programme has also increased capacity and resilience for current and future public health challenges​.