Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available for people that cannot take a nasal covid-19 test; and whether his Department plans to approve a non-nasal covid-19 test such as the lollipop saliva test.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating alternative testing options for people who cannot take a nasal COVID-19 test and awaiting the results from a number of LAMP or saliva-based testing pilots that are underway. The UKHSA will continue to review and evaluate the usability of emerging technologies.