UK govt are making a killing out of private travel tests...

[Plumedenom]

.. and they have no interest in making a digital covid passport available while they are making money out of private day 5 and 8 kits. I look at that list of private test providers and I see a massive list of 'jobs for the boys'.

While the rest of Europe have signed an agreement and will be ready to roll out a digital certificate of vaccination in July, our government haven't even engaged with Europe. They are spending money making another system when a perfectly good and secure system has been offered to them.

They want us to go on holiday here or pay exorbitant prices for tests if we do have to go. Anything to keep the money in the UK coffers, at the expense of freedom of movement.

There are 5 million UK nationals living in Europe. The majority go home at least once a year. Each test kit costs 200-300 quid. That is a hell of a backhander they are making. You tell me why posting two rapid flow tests in the post costs 300 quid. It is a scandal waiting to be uncovered.

Huge scandal, I agree. There is so much that needs investigating.

Ryanair have teamed up with a testing company and are offering the tests for £120.
Still a rip off though.

I’ve found companies that will send you a lateral flow test for when you’re abroad and they cost £33.

Also found some others that it’s 120 but you can get a discount of 50%. As far as I understand day 2 and 8 are pcrs and not lateral flow ones so they need a lab to process them.

So 3 tests would be around 150.

Yes Eu has made an agreement to make them cheaper but we don’t know how much cheaper really , so I don’t think it’s that expensive 3 for £150. It’s true that a family of 4 wouldn’t be able to afford it but I don’t think a European one would be much much cheaper tbh.

Surely lateral flow tests are free from chemists and pharmacies?
Tui offer a bundle for £20

Not sure why anyone would pay for lateral flow through the post?

@Hadalifeonce

Surely lateral flow tests are free from chemists and pharmacies? Tui offer a bundle for £20

Not sure why anyone would pay for lateral flow through the post?

You can’t do a lateral flow and not show it to anyone whilst abroad. You need to contact with someone from the company you buy the test from via a video call. They teach you how to do the lateral flow and you show them the result. Otherwise you could lie and say your result was negative

We are able to test for free in the UK. I don't think the government should fund tests for travel, those who are not travelling abroad shouldn't be subsidising those who choose to do so.

I'm planning a holiday abroad, but I accept that the tests required are my responsibility.

This is what the company I’m going to get it from says for the coming back to the uk £39

Use this for your pre-departure test, 72 hours before starting travel to the UK from any country.
Order your test before your trip and take it in your suitcase.
Results in just 20 minutes, overseen on video call by a Health Advisor.
Free Tracked 24 delivery, or choose our priority courier service.

Is it the government though? For a work thing in February I needed a PCR test. We were directed to a special testing centre, not NHS, not using NHS staff and NHS labs for our tests. I didn't pay for the test - the company I was working for paid the cost, but it didn't cost the NHS anything either and the government didn't make any money from it.

But a digital passport is available using the app? And why on earth should the government provide testing for free just to allow people to travel? Factor the cost of private testing into your travel costs and stop being so entitled.

Why should testing be free just because people want a holiday? Hardly an essential. I’d not prioritise government spending on that either.

Vaccines don’t stop people getting covid or passing it on fully so tests are still needed.

I don’t think testing for travel should be free but I do suspect that’s it’s way more expensive than it needs to be.

I'm not being entitled. I am saying there are private interests making a killing out of this, and the government are getting back handers. No, it's not the government providing the tests. That is precisely the problem. You tell me why they didn't agree a standard price cap with these labs. Because there are people in the government who are profiting from it, just like they profited from face mask contracts and every other private contract they agree in this govt. They of course will be two steps removed, an uncle or a cousin, but if you look at the price range in that list, you can see this is a money making scheme. The covid passports are utterly useless. The decisions are based on a traffic light system, you passport doesn't stop you buying the day 5 and 8 tests if you are an amber country, you still have to isolate.

Completely agree with you OP, it's fucking scandalous. I fully accept that if I want to travel, I should pay for tests myself. But I hate being ripped off and someone is massively profiteering from all these tests.

They make so much money out of everything. Visa and citizenship applications are another example. Rip-off Britain indeed.

Suggesting the government are getting back handers, as opposed to business for their mates, is a serious allegation, and if you have evidence, should be a police matter.

Though agreeing with the sentiment that costs are a rip-off.

I so wish a journalist would crack this open. So I did my own research. I went on the companies house website to look at one of the Test companies most people are complaining about, not getting results, wrong results etc. I look up the company RT diagnostics....and guess what? The director is a guy called Shahid Malik, who I find was an MP who Gordon Brown was already investigating for shady MP EXPENSES in 2019. An MP AS DIRECTOR OF A CLINICAL LAB FOR COVID TESTS. Coincidence? This is fishy as hell.

Well of course he is. Totally dodgy. Daily Fail are too busy scaremongering about variants and rising COVID rates to pick this one up.

Have you tried The Guardian OP?

Sent a message to the telegraph who, originally investigated this guy in the expenses scandal. He actually employed HIS DAD as one of his staff. Don't want to assume this is a government problem, but I do think this guy has access to the network and is using it and abusing it.

You forgot to mention that Mr Malik is a Labour MP.

I agree that the tests are more expensive than they need to be. Additionally, if your flight is delayed and your test expires while you're sitting in the airport, you have to buy a new test before you're allowed to board. A BA flight was delayed by two hours a few days ago and at least half a dozen passengers had their tests expire during those two hours, they had to pay £80 each for a new test. They can claim it back from BA if they remember to get a receipt but this takes at least a month to do.

@Auntienumber8

You forgot to mention that Mr Malik is a Labour MP.

Don't let facts get in the way of a good rant!

@EasterIssland

I’ve found companies that will send you a lateral flow test for when you’re abroad and they cost £33.

Also found some others that it’s 120 but you can get a discount of 50%. As far as I understand day 2 and 8 are pcrs and not lateral flow ones so they need a lab to process them.

So 3 tests would be around 150.

Yes Eu has made an agreement to make them cheaper but we don’t know how much cheaper really , so I don’t think it’s that expensive 3 for £150. It’s true that a family of 4 wouldn’t be able to afford it but I don’t think a European one would be much much cheaper tbh.

€60 here for a PCR. So, tbf, not much cheaper. They're going to be used mainly for kids who won't get both doses of vaccine in in order to get a green pass.

Some of my family live in Europe and they get PCR tests free there, as well as these self test things that you can register digitally, also free. Their track and trace (don't know what it's called there) apparently works well too and has done for ages. BJ has messed this up so bad for us. They just pop into a test centre whenever they need one or to the chemist.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

Why should testing be free just because people want a holiday? Hardly an essential. I’d not prioritise government spending on that either.

Vaccines don’t stop people getting covid or passing it on fully so tests are still needed.

It shouldn't be a luxury, lots of other countries view it as a necessity that will help them battle the virus way more effectively, hence making it free for all citizens. Doesn't matter what people need it - they should be free.