Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the capacity of (a) drive-in covid-19 testing centres, (b) school testing and (c) other testing centre capacity in Suffolk.

We have improved the system for allocating regional testing slots to ensure the distance limit does not go beyond 75 miles – currently the median distance travelled is 4.3 miles and 90% of people who registered for a test travelled 20.5 miles or less. We have also introduced clear and improved messaging that testing is for those who have symptoms, or who have specifically been told to get a test by a clinician or local authority. Due to unprecedented demand, we are also targeting testing capacity solely at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, and prioritising at-risk groups. This includes National Health Service staff and key workers.