Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Twenty-Third Report - Test and Trace update
Public Accounts Committee
HC 182
Published 27 October 2021
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenty Third report from Session 2021-22 · published 21 Jan 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
7
Conclusion
Rejected
We asked our witnesses whether these figures meant that NHST&T had been given an unrealistic...
Conclusion
We asked our witnesses whether these figures meant that NHST&T had been given an unrealistic objective at the outset. The former head of NHST&T told us that it alone could not prevent a lockdown and that it was one of …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the Committee's implied conclusion that NHS Test and Trace was ineffective, citing the Canna Model and policy documents to demonstrate its estimated transmission reduction and role in reducing positive cases.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Rejected
Academics and experts have consistently noted that the effectiveness of test and trace systems rests...
Conclusion
Academics and experts have consistently noted that the effectiveness of test and trace systems rests on adherence to their requirements and high levels of compliance by members of the public, but these are still low for NHST&T. Of those people …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected the committee's conclusion that NHS Test and Trace had not helped break chains of transmission or enable a return to normal life. It cited the Canna Model, estimating a 10% to 28% transmission reduction, and referred to COVID-19 response plans confirming the system's role in reducing positive cases.
HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Rejected
In 2020–21, NHST&T paid £3.1 billion to secure the laboratory capacity to process PCR tests...
Conclusion
In 2020–21, NHST&T paid £3.1 billion to secure the laboratory capacity to process PCR tests and £911 million for contact tracing, primarily for contact centres.30 In our March 2021 report, we found that NHST&T struggled to consistently match supply and …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for capacity utilisation targets, arguing that PCR labs require an 80% maximum to maintain quality, demand fluctuates, and a minimum target would be impractical and costly.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Rejected
The Chief Executive of the UKHSA told us that it was “extremely difficult” to predict...
Conclusion
The Chief Executive of the UKHSA told us that it was “extremely difficult” to predict how much NHST&T would spend on laboratory and contact centre capacity or what demand would be for these services. Witnesses assured us that arrangements had …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to establish utilisation targets, explaining it's impractical due to fluctuating demand and potential compromise of service quality, but confirms UKHSA closely manages contact centre performance and will provide a utilisation update.
HM Treasury
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