Twenty-Third Report of Session 2021-22 Department of Health and Social Care Test and Trace - Update Introduction from the Committee NHS Test and Trace Service (NHST&T) was set up in May 2020 as part of the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department). It provides: COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, where results are processed in laboratories, primarily for people with symptoms; and lateral flow device (LFD) testing, which give results in around 30 minutes and are used to identify people with COVID-19 who are not showing symptoms. Working with local authorities, it contacts people who have tested positive and their recent contacts to advise them to self-isolate, as well as providing telephone monitoring and support during the self- isolation period. It also supports the UK’s work on genomic sequencing of some PCR tests to track variant forms of COVID-19 and carries out other research and data analysis through the Joint Biosecurity Centre. NHST&T estimates that it spent £13.5 billion in 2020–21, an underspend of £8.7 billion against its budget. By the end of May 2021, NHST&T had dispatched 691 million lateral flow tests, with 96 million (14%) results registered. On 24 March 2021, the government announced that NHST&T would form part of the newly created UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This transition is due to be complete by the end of October 2021. Based on a report by the National Audit Office, the Committee took evidence on Thursday 08 July from the Department of Health and Social Care, UK Health Security Agency and the former Head of NHST&T. The Committee published its report on 27 October 2021. This is the government’s response to the Committee’s report. Relevant reports • NAO report: Test and Trace in England - Progress Update – Session 2021-22 (HC 295) • PAC report: Test and Trace - Update – Session 2021-22 (HC 182)