Responding to the latest test and trace figures, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“These figures provide yet more evidence that the test and trace system – a key part of the effort to monitor and curb COVID-19 – is falling short.

“While it is encouraging to see overall testing capacity rising, the number of people tested has fallen. We need to see tests available where they are needed.

“The figures on turnaround times are particularly disturbing, with only 7% of Pillar 2 tests in the community returned within 24 hours.

“But most worrying of all is the failure to reach more than 100,000 close contacts this week.

“All this at a time when infections are rising and we’re heading towards winter, with the prospect of added seasonal pressures.”