Responding to an announcement by the Department for Health and Social Care on the next steps for 'Living with COVID-19', including changes to testing for COVID-19, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"With just days to go before the end of free, universal testing for COVID-19, trust leaders will welcome confirmation from the secretary of state for health and social care today that NHS staff and vulnerable patients will have ongoing access to testing.

"Rising COVID-19 cases are putting increased pressure on NHS services, which also face high staff absence rates. This is having a knock-on impact on how fast trusts can deliver backlog recovery. So while this decision has come late in the day, it is the right one.

"But there is understandable concern about what the end of universal free testing risks means for the government's ambition to reduce health inequalities.

"There is a risk that we may see a two tier system where those who cannot afford to pay for tests are at greater risk of catching the virus. No one should have to make a choice between their health or heating."