Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence he has received on the potential effect on the transmission of covid-19 of lateral flow tests being incorrectly administered by members of the public.

Evidence suggests that those with no clinical background or training should be able to secure an effective sample. International peer-reviewed evidence suggests that self-swabbing is just as effective at securing a valid sample as clinician-administered testing. Each kit comes with comprehensive instructions on how to administer the swab.