The ongoing confusion regarding what the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) may or may not have authorised, and the government’s lack of clarity is creating fear and eroding confidence in school communities.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “This is another extremely confusing situation for schools and parents alike. The government may feel that it has been clear about the use of lateral flow testing in schools, but there is enough of a difference between what they have said so far and what the MHRA has said, to create another chaotic situation.

“Both parties must urgently correct this, otherwise the government’s mass-testing plans will be in tatters, and schools will yet again be left to pick up the pieces.

“NAHT reiterates its call for the government to share the evidence upon which it is basing its decisions and to be completely transparent about its plans. They have routinely failed to do this, and in doing so they have harmed schools’ efforts to provide the highest quality of education for the young people in their care.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk