Local Liberal Democrats warn the scrapping of free Covid lateral flow tests will slap Hillingdon residents with a £9million “tax on caring” costing individuals over £500 a year to take regular tests and visit vulnerable relatives. Our latest figures show that every week an estimated 17,000 people in Hillingdon take regular Covid tests, with 30,000 tests being taken here in an average week. Not surprising when the latest numbers show there are nearly 15,000 active cases currently in our borough. This change especially impacts people who take tests to protect their elderly relatives and friends, and vulnerable workers in people-facing industries such as hospitality.
We have 23,415 people in Hillingdon identified as clinically extremely vulnerable for whom this will be particularly concerning. They may well see fewer loved ones and become less able to enjoy their lives as they would wish to. It is unfair and unjust. Hillingdon residents will now be hit with yet more costs on top of the massive inflation we’re now seeing.
Throughout the pandemic, people in Hillingdon have tried hard to do the right thing and keep others safe. The Government should not be making that harder. Our Conservative MPs (especially David Simmonds) need to make their voice heard and get behind scrapping these plans. But I guess there’s no chance of that happening. Jonathan Banks is the Hillingdon Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary spokesperson. You can join the debate with him on twitter @Jonathan_MBanks
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