No10 denies Sturgeon test limits claim
DOWNING Street has denied Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that Matt Hancock tried to restrict slots at mobile testing units in Scotland to ease the backlog.
The First Minister said she remains concerned over restrictions on testing capacity but hoped to see improvement after a call with the UK Health Secretary.
Sturgeon said she spoke to Hancock and UK testing head Dido Harding on Monday night after she revealed at her daily press briefing that the Scottish Government had “managed to resist” a move to limit access to mobile testing units and regional testing centres.
Sturgeon insisted the issue was not one of access to testing slots but processing of tests.
She added: “To that end, last night I had a constructive conference call with Matt Hancock, the UK Health Secretary, and Dido Harding, head of the UK testing system, to seek assurances that Scotland will continue to get fair access to the UK-wide laboratory capacity and discuss how we can resolve these issues.”
But the PM’s spokesman hit back yesterday. The Downing Street official said: “Testing capacity has always been protected in Scotland and Wales and it is wrong to suggest otherwise.
“We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government to ensure they have the support they need and new booking slots are made available for those in Scotland who need them.
“We will continue to work with all devolved administrations to ensure that local areas are getting the testing they need.”
The response came as Hancock admitted in the Commons that testing system is facing an “enormous challenge” after a “sharp rise” in demand.
Challenged on the reports of people struggling to get a test, Hancock said it would take a “matter of weeks” to resolve the problems.