Covid-19 Tests Supply 2022-01-18
2022-01-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP inquired about the government's efforts to increase test supply, citing specific numbers for lateral flow and PCR tests.
What steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of lateral flow and PCR covid-19 tests. The MP noted that over 700 million more lateral flow tests have been procured since December and home delivery capacity is now at over 7 million lateral flow tests every day, while PCR testing capacity has also increased.
We have significantly increased our testing and supply capacity since December, procuring over 700 million more lateral flow tests, ramping up our delivery capacity and expanding the UK's daily PCR capacity. Around 1.7 billion lateral flow tests have been distributed across the UK since the start of the pandemic. Home delivery capacity is now at over 7 million lateral flow tests every day, and we have also recently increased capacity for PCR testing by more than 200,000 tests per day.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questioned the delay in approving British-made lateral flow tests compared to Chinese imports, highlighting a specific case of SureScreen diagnostics where approval took six months.
Why were 30 million British-made lateral flow tests sitting in a warehouse waiting for approval while Chinese tests were given temporary approval? It took six months to give approval to SureScreen diagnostics: when will the Government support British test manufacturers and end the preference for imports from China?
I can give the hon. Gentleman an answer, and I am very happy to do so. He will know that whenever we try to procure tests, in this case lateral flow tests, we should always try to buy British first, and we do buy from SureScreen—it is a fantastic supplier. But he will also know that we can only, rightly, buy lateral flow tests once they have been approved by our independent medical regulator.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Explanation for why delays occurred and commitment to end preference for imports was not provided.
I Can Give The Hon. Gentleman An Answer, And I Am Very Happy To Do So.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP inquired about the advantages of a UK-wide approach to the testing programme.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that access to the largest testing programme in Europe is just one example of the advantages to the people of Scotland when we adopt a UK-wide approach to shared challenges?
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend about a unified approach to shared challenges such as covid-19, and that unified approach being the best way forward. Across the UK, we have built the largest diagnostic network in British history and our testing programme has been one of the most important lines of defence, alongside our UK-wide vaccination programme. Our procurement of tests, antivirals and vaccines has been another fantastic example of the strength of the Union.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questioned the Government's procurement policy regarding lateral flow tests, alleging that UK manufacturing plans were shelved due to fears of accusations of improper deals.
Can he now say to the House that that was not the case and that he was not running scared of a transparent procurement policy, and that he will now do all he can to turbocharge British manufacturing and get British lateral flow tests in the system?
First, I think the hon. Gentleman accused me of doing something inappropriate, and I think that that is not appropriate, unless he has something else to say or some evidence, but it is true to form for the Labour Front Bench, which just constantly makes things up to make false points. When it comes to testing, as he has just heard me say, we have purchased 1.7 billion lateral flow tests since the start of the pandemic. Wherever possible, whether it is PCR testing or lateral flow testing, whenever tests are approved by our independent regulator, we buy British.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Accusation denial and deflection from the question about supporting British manufacturing.
First, I Think The Hon. Gentleman Accused Me Of Doing Something Inappropriate
But It Is True To Form For The Labour Front Bench
Response accuracy