Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are the Government taking to ensure a steady and sustainable supply of lateral flow tests manufactured in the UK.
In October 2020, the Government commissioned work to support the United Kingdom’s diagnostic industry, to secure a lateral flow antigen test and increase domestic production capacity. The Make UK programme delivered two clinically validated and regulatory approved UK lateral flow antigen tests and provided investment in capital equipment and facilities expansion at UK manufacturing companies.
Over 100 million tests have been produced for UK Health Security Agency deployment and UK production capacity of lateral flow antigen test has increased by 3,500%. The first UK-made self-test lateral flow device has been deployed in January 2022. The Make UK programme has also increased capacity and resilience for current and future public health challenges.