Jonathan Ashworth responds to NAO report on Test and Trace

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the NAO’s report on Test and Trace, said:

“The £22 billion Test and Trace now has a budget larger than policing and fire service combined, but it has failed to trace sufficient numbers of contacts and ensure those who are contacted are able to isolate.

“Instead of handing multi-million pound contracts to big private outsourcing firms the government should have invested in local, experienced public health expertise.

“The government’s failure on test and trace continues to leave us with a gaping hole in our defences.”