PM rejects criticism of NHS test and trace system
Outburst follows MP’s question on local access
BORIS JOHNSON has hit out at criticisms of the test and trace system as “disgraceful” as Yorkshire MPs raised concerns about the operation of the programme in their areas.
Mr Johnson said in the Commons yesterday that “test and trace has nothing to do with the spread” of coronavirus, after announcing new restrictions designed to stem the rising cases.
The head of the NHS Test and Trace scheme said last week that demands was “significantly outstripping the capacity we have”.
Normanton, Pontefract, and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper said it was “dangerous” that just 20 per cent of people were receiving test results within 24 hours, despite promises that would be boosted to 80 per cent.
While Barnsley East’s Stephanie Peacock raised again an issue with long distances having to be travelled to obtain a test.
Responding, Mr Johnson said: “In spite of the massive increase in testing that we’ve seen a 10 per cent increase in capacity just in the last 10 days. Also, we are seeing at the moment 64 per cent of people getting their results in 24 hours, and I do want to get that up as fast as possible to 80 per cent.
“What I can tell her is that we
will double our testing capacity by the end of October to 500,000 tests a day and we are already testing more people than any other country is.”
But Ms Peacock said that “the reason we are facing greater restrictions is because the Government has failed to establish an effective, effective testing system”.
She said: “My constituent was not able to access a test for her son, sent home from school and asked to travel 300 miles for a test, despite the fact I raised this case in this chamber last week, and received assurances from the
Health Secretary, she still can’t get a test.”
Mr Johnson said: “I increasingly think it’s disgraceful that the Labour opposition continue to blame NHS Test and Trace.”
He said: “There is a complete hiatus in their logic, they’re talking absolute nonsense [...] testing and tracing has very little or nothing to do with the spread or the transmission of the disease. The spread or the transmission of the disease is caused by contact between human beings and all the things that we’re trying to minimise.”
Government has failed to establish an effective, effective testing system. Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley East.