Why are covid home tests free to pick up at phamacies, yet tests for travellers are at extortianate prices?

[CatAndHisKit]

I assume it's the same type of test - or not?
I have a relative travelling to stay with me in summer for nearly two months (she always does, already skipped the winter stay) , just learned that it costs around £150 for the two tests. Possibly also when going back in 6 weeks).

Is the govt or agencies turned this into money making tool, or am I missing something? People aer still traelling even on short holidays so it hasn't stop the travel. For people who are hard up after all the covid fallout this is hard to afford.

I'm also amazed people are not protesting / challenging this what with all the other protests, taking onto account that tests are free of chaarge when in this country.
Other countries charge a lot less, still adds up but it's around 25 euros.

@HangingOver

If that is not the government's intent they haven't implemented it very effectively

I didn't say it made any sense 😁

Well to be fair, I should know better than to expect rationality from government, its blatant profiteering I object to!

I'm extra impressed this week to discover that the UK approved vaccines DC had, earlier than he would have received them here via the "world's greatest" vaccination programme, are somehow not proper vaccines for isolation purposes. So despite having MHRA recommended vaccines and being in a lower infection area he has to isolate if coming over.

The ongoing campaign against Brits working abroad is going to bite this government in trade and the brain drain - I see more and more "brain and trade" types simply staying abroad instead of returning with their business after their secondments/stints working abroad.

The tests for incoming travellers to the UK have to go to a lab to be processed as they are testing a proportion for variants, to monitor what's coming from where.

Some countries accept LFTs. Some have the tax-payer subsidise the cost of travellers' tests.

Travelling and testing is not mandatory, no matter how pressing you think your reason is. If you don't like the cost, hassle, etc, you could not travel while this is all going on. Which may, of course, have other costs such as work difficulties or not being able to see loved ones, or having to stay in another country. But the answer to the price of tests is that as people are prepared to pay, there is no incentive for the suppliers to reduce the cost.

Yes we are All fully aware of that thanks. We are fully aware that they UK government does not see fit to subsidize this as other governments do, continuing in the same vein of treating us as second class citizens.