Government faces accusations they manipulated testing figures

Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the 100,000 testing target had been hit. However, critics have voiced concern that he ‘bended’ the figures to achieve the goal. Accusations say he included home-testing kits which had been sent out that day to help boost the figure.

A report revealed that the 122,347 figure includes 40,000 home-testing kits, of which hadn’t been completed yet. This would explain how the 52,000 tests carried out on Tuesday had raised significantly by 81,611 within a matter of days. The Health Service Journal reported that the massive boost was due to Royal Mail and Amazon distributing these testing kits.

People have said the sustainability of this method will be proved over the next few days, with many also fearing some tests may fail.

Deputy labour leader Angela Rayner said, “If you cannot meet your target then the response should be ‘we are doing our best and testing has significantly increased’ it should not be to fudge the figures!” She also continued to express how she felt Mr Hancock has ‘misled’ the public.

Critiques are also claiming that the government are focusing on testing target statistics to distract the public from more worrying statistics, regarding the infection rate and death toll.

Despite this, Prof John Newton, coordinator of governments testing drive, has said, there will always be disputes when ‘politicians set target’ and that the target had been met regardless.