The government has said free lateral flow tests will not be scrapped yet but will remain under review.
Rumours have swirled in recent months that free testing could come to an end, with the announcement last week that self-isolation rules could be scrapped later this month heightening fears.
The Times reported as part of the 'living with COVID strategy', free lateral flow tests would be axed.
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The tracing system would also be wound down and PCR testing scaled back.
But the government has since responded to the reports.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health told The Guardian: "We've previously set out that we'll keep the provision of free testing under review as the government's response to COVID-19 changes.
"No decisions have been made on the provision of free testing. Everyone can continue to get free tests and we are continuing to encourage people to use rapid tests when they need them.
"Testing continues to play an important role in helping people live their day to day lives, keep businesses running and keep young people in school."
Sage, the independent group of advisers who have been counselling the government throughout the pandemic, cautioned against removing free testing.
The group said getting rid of free testing would make it harder for people to take precautions and "may also increase anxiety among those who have found testing reassuring after possible exposure, particularly those who are, or live with, someone who is clinically vulnerable".
They added: "Some people may also take the removal of free and accessible testing as a signal that they should continue to attend workplaces/social gatherings while showing Covid-19 symptoms, as these become conflated with other symptoms of respiratory illness such as influenza."
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