The cost of NHS Test and Trace tests for international travellers is to be slashed.
Pricing will be reduced from £88 to £68 for green or fully vaccinated amber arrivals, and from £170 to £136 for two tests for amber arrivals who are not fully vaccinated.
The Health Secretary has also announced there will be a rapid review of the pricing and service standards of all private providers of day 2 and 8 tests.
Misleading pricing will be clamped down on and we will removed from listings.
This is the second time pricing of NHS tests has been reduced, following a review in May which reduced the cost of a day 2 and 8 package from £210 to £170.
NHS Test and Trace advertises the tests alongside private companies’ testing packages and they are available to purchase to fulfil the UK government’s testing requirements for international travel.
PCR testing remains free for people with symptoms of COVID-19, and – from 16 August – for people who are double jabbed or under 18 and have been identified as a close contact of someone with the virus.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I know how much people have looked forward to their summer holidays and that the cost of PCR testing can be a barrier to that.
"That is why I am determined to protect consumers and hardworking families from exploitative practices and ensure high quality tests are available at a reasonable price.
“I am pleased to announce that with immediate effect we’re slashing the price of day 2 and 8 tests from NHS Test and Trace by a fifth – this will benefit people right across the UK.
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"And I look forward to reviewing initial advice from the Competition and Markets Authority over the coming days. I’ve also ordered my department to urgently review the list of private providers on gov.uk to ensure pricing is clearer and transparent. Any provider found to be misleading the public will be kicked off.
“Too many providers are acting like cowboys and that needs to stop. The public should be allowed to enjoy their summer holidays without having to face excessive costs or anxiety.”
It comes after the testing regime for returning holidaymakers was branded as an "absolute mess" after images of overflowing boxes for completed test kits were posted on social media.
International travellers entering the UK must currently pay for a PCR test on or before the second day.
These typically can cost about £50, but some have been priced at more than £100.
People who are not fully vaccinated must take a second test on or before day eight if they have arrived from an amber list country, or are staying in a quarantine hotel.
