People could be charged for lateral flow tests from next month, government reveals

[2greys]

People could be charged for lateral flow tests from next month, under plans being considered by the government.

The tests are only guaranteed to be free until the end of July, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has revealed.

“A statement will be forthcoming about whether or not it will be extended beyond that,” a spokesperson told The Independent.

Labour immediately condemned the looming rethink, saying it “beggars belief” with a third Covid wave underway and infections set to surge in the weeks to come.

The potential U-turn comes just three months after the launch of a high-profile campaign urging everybody to test themselves twice a week, under the headline ‘Next Step Safely’.

independent.co.uk/news/uk/p...

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

It beggers belief, but we will just have to wait and see. Have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Ian1967]

Hi 2greys, this is absolutely disgusting not only are they scrapping all Covid-19 restrictions, even though they are expecting between 50 and 100.000 cases a day, Johnson and his cabal are really trying to dissuade people from protecting themselves and the most vulnerable people in our society.

I have been double vaccinated now, but the more cases there are in circulation the more chance there is of yet more dangerous variants, which will evade vaccines also the young in society have been treated terribly in this pandemic, losing jobs and educational chances, they can also suffer Long Covid which in certain circumstances could lead them to getting life limiting medical conditions, which we on this forum are all too well aware of

Ian.

[Annie31]

Oh yes!...... and how is that going to help? How many people will be able to afford this on a large scale for the foreseeable future? To quote Damon, it beggars belief and I don't know but why should we be surprised at this latest "reveal"? 😡😡

[2greys in reply to Annie31]

Sharon has to do a LFT every working day, she also has to pay £22 a day in taxis as well, because it is out in the sticks and only served by country buses that do not start early enough in the morning and finish too early for the return journey. it will just not be worth her working at this rate, on minimum wage. There are other staff there with the same circumstances as well. Also if any of them have to self isolate they only get paid the standard Statutory Sick Pay of £96.35 per week.

This just not fair, I thought Indentured Servitude was made illegal years ago, having to pay for LFTs as a condition of employment is Indentured Servitude. The Govt are going to have to think this through properly, the Social Care system is close to collapse as it is, the care industry will oppose having to bare the additional cost. So where does that leave us, passing that payment on to the residents and their families as they did with PPE costs?

Wasn't one of Boris' promises supposed to be the reform of social care?

[Annie31 in reply to 2greys]

National disgrace! They are going to bring this country onto its knees if they continue in this vein and it wouldn't be any different whoever was in power in my opinion! They've all had their chance in one way or another to deal with social reform over the years and they've all failed miserably!

[Patk1 in reply to 2greys]

Can she use the free homestead kits

[2greys in reply to Patk1]

The free LTF kits in the blue boxes, 7 per box. This is what she is using and free use to finish until the end of this month only.

[moogle]

wow, I'm speechless ..

[B0xermad]

Well if that's the case I should imagine that everyone will be stocking up this week ,ridiculous to make us pay though

[corriena]

I dont understand ( not unusual) the flow test dosent seem to be that reliable as i cant go to see my dr unless i go to a test center fo a test as the flow test isent accepted by them as proof im covid free. Why would i pay for test thats not proof im covid free. Iv been testing regularly at home but as money is tight i wont be paying for the tests unless they can give a reliable result. I do my best to keep myself and my friends safe . But why are the test kits being sent out if they are not giving reliable results 🤔😷🤓

[peege in reply to corriena]

Exactly corriena. Madness. Can't believe you have to go to a test centre in order to go to the doc 😳Time to order in supplies though

[Kristicats]

I need to do a test every day in order to visit my mum.

[Annie31]

@ Chrisko! Better take out a second mortgage then. Sorry poor joke!😰 it's a disgrace if it comes about but you will be one of thousands in the same position so I'm wondering if this is yet another ploy to raise income to recoup some of what has been spent to cope with this crisis. My argument is if they want the public to play safe and take these tests, then they should pay for them. How are people on low incomes etc expected to find this extra expense? Sorry 2 greys, my reply to Chrisko!