MP for Chesterfield has called for the government to halt plans to end the access of free testing on 1^st April.

Many constituents have expressed their concern as it could prevent access to vulnerable friends and family members.

The current plan for the end of free testing could lead to the cost of £73 a month for access to lateral flow tests. It comes as the government claim that the country needs to assess the risk and ‘take personal responsibility’ on the issue.

Toby said, “The Prime Minister wants to push that people need to take ‘personal responsibility’ and ‘do the right thing’ but is also removing the biggest tool to do just this. I know by the sacrifices we all took and the many letters I have received from people who didn’t see loved ones at risk because they didn’t want to spread the virus or increase that risk. It seems that now the government want the burden to be on the individual, so they don’t have to take the responsibility to for protecting public health. It is seriously misguided and needs rethinking.”

He continued to say “My worry for these changes is that many will be unable to resume visiting vulnerable family due to the cost incursion and lack of availability. This could lead to further isolation and lack of contact that has been so difficult through these past two years.”

These announcements come as the Right for Residents and Alzheimer’s UK both call on the government to rethink this as it could lead to many feeling unable to see loved ones after such a disruptive two years.