SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has described reports that Boris Johnson is to announce an end to free Covid-19 testing for large numbers of people as an ‘unconscionable betrayal’ of all those who have followed public health advice for the last two years.

The Foyle MP said that dismantling the free testing programme would undermine efforts to bring transmission under control and would hurt low-income families most.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“Any attempt to dismantle the Covid-19 testing infrastructure would be an unconscionable betrayal of everyone who has stuck with the public health guidance over the last two years to keep their friends, family and communities safe.

“It shows just how out of touch this government is with the challenges facing ordinary people. Energy bills are through the roof, national insurance is about to go up and now people will no longer be able to rely on a free test to see if they have an extremely transmissible infection. It is unfairness on top of unfairness, particularly for low-income families.”