GMB Union has described new covid testing plans ‘gesture politics of the worst kind’.

From today [10 January 2022] 100,000 ‘critical workers’ will have to take a test every day there are working’

Then from tomorrow [11 January 2022] covid testing rules are to be eased for people without symptoms, who will no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR.

Dan Shears, GMB Director of Health and Safety, said:

"This is gesture politics of the worst kind.

“The new testing rules cover just a tiny fraction of the UK’s 10 million key workers and will be completely ineffective.

“Meanwhile scrapping the need for a PCR test following a positive lateral flow (LFT) will massively skew the infection figures.

“A positive LFT is only added to official figures if someone inputs results into the NHS system themselves - most won’t do this.

“WIth statutory sick pay at poverty levels of £96 a week, it creates a perverse incentive for workers to ignore a positive LFT and keep working - potentially infecting lots more people.

“It’s placing responsibility back on the individual, and many people can’t afford it.

“It’s a recipe for disaster.”