The Adam Smith Institute, who today released a report calling for companies, universities and charities to be given permission to test for COVID-19 have welcomed Hancock’s remarks.

The ASI’s Head of Research Matthew Lesh said:

“We’ve wasted too much time with an excessively centralised, bureaucratic approach to testing. It’s welcome news that the Government will be allowing the private sector to begin testing. Lives are on the line and this couldn’t come soon enough. We will need both fast-track approval for labs and new tests in order to reach the ambitious 100,000 tests per day target.
“There is no time for usual bureaucratic delays or power grabs. PHE must stop trying to do everything themselves, we need to fast-track approval of companies, universities and charities. Importantly, we should be using every type of machine and every type of reliable test.”