Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on news a coronavirus antibody test could soon be available for the general public, said:

“This sounds like a welcome and potentially significant development in the battle to suppress the virus.

“We now need urgent clarification from the government about how many of these tests have been bought.

“We also call on ministers to outline a national testing plan with NHS and care staff as the priority, alongside clear arrangements for wider community testing.

“A panicked scramble to buy tests from high street chemists and online is the last thing we need.”