His comments come after health secretary Sajid Javid said he wanted to end PCR testing for those returning to the UK "as soon as he possibly could".

Boland said travellers were "let down badly" during the summer by a "dysfunctional travel testing system" that left people facing "rip-off prices".

"With just six weeks until the half-term break, people need clarity on whether they need to pay for private PCR tests for upcoming trips abroad," Boland added.

"The government must urgently announce its plans for the travel testing system to end the uncertainty for millions of people who may be trying to make plans for holidays or to visit friends and family."

On Tuesday (14 September), Boris Johnson declined to detail the government’s plans to ease the UK’s Covid travel rules, and reiterated Javid’s assertion that an update would follow in the coming weeks.

Boland said: "Regardless of whether the rules change for double-vaccinated travellers returning to the UK, ministers must act now on the competition regulator’s recommendations for PCR testing to ensure consumers are protected properly and bring down the often extortionate cost of tests, with price caps if necessary."