Tests for coronavirus have plummeted to just 69,000 a day – as Boris Johnson announced a new 200,000 target. The number carried out fell for the fourth day running, almost halving since a big push to hit last month’s 100,000-a-day pledge.
NHS staff and care workers are still struggling to access the desperately needed tests, which are key to ending lockdown. Yet the Prime Minister blamed the drop on a lack of demand.
Facing Mr Johnson in the Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions for the first time yesterday, Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “On April 30, the Government claimed success in meeting its 100,000-tests-a-day target.