My question in parliament: lateral flow tests for schools

22nd January, 2021

Last week I was appalled to find out that the Government’s daily use of 30-minute lateral flow tests in schools had not been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agenda. The tests were not approved because of concerns that false reassurance could be given about a negative test which could lead to pupils staying in school and spreading the virus, instead of being sent home.

So in Education Department Question Time on Monday I asked the Government to confirm that no unauthorised tests were being done on children. At the time I got an evasive non-answer from the Minster, but I am now pleased to say that the Government is going to halt the use of unauthorised tests in schools. As I told the Minister on Monday, the health and safety of children must be put first, and not the Prime Minster’s ideological commitment to deregulation.

This is a welcome U-turn, and you can read more about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/…/ministers-set-to-halt…