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Nine in 10 private Covid travel test providers 'yet to be accredited'

Government
Will Payne
11 August 2021

More than 90% of private travel Covid test providers are yet to be accredited as competent operators, according to reports.

Labour urged the transport secretary to take tougher action against firms "exploiting" the system (Credit: Prasesh Shiwakoti / Unsplash)

The UK accreditation service (UKAS) is responsible for approving the 434 companies listed by the government as offering testing, but only 38 have so far been fully accredited - prompting complaints that holidaymakers are being exposed to "rip-offs". 

On Tuesday (10 August), images of "overflowing and unsecure" PCR test drop boxes from private firm Randox led to an angry backlash from consumers.

Speaking to The Telegraph, chief executive of Airlines UK, Tim Alderslade, said the travel testing regime was becoming "more untenable by the day".