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The competition watchdog must examine the fees for Covid-19 tests required for international travel after concerns over the vastly different prices charged to them.
The Competition and Markets Authority will provide advice and intelligence on the PCR testing market to Health Secretary Sajid Javid to enable the government to act.
This route is taken because a formal investigation, which could lead to criminal prosecution, would take months, so its impact would come well beyond the key holiday season.
PCR tests are required for travel to certain holiday destinations abroad and back from Amber and Green List countries.
Similar tests for days 2 and 8 after return to England listed on the government website can cost over £ 300 or as little as £ 20. On average, prices in the UK are £ 75, compared to around £ 40 in France and Greece.
Javid wrote to the CMA on Friday asking the organization to help eliminate “exploitative behavior” and “unfair practices” among the more than 400 companies offering the tests and he said the government is determined to take action.
“The cost of PCR testing can be a barrier, especially for families who wish to travel together,” Javid said in a letter to CMA CEO Dr Andrea Coscelli first reported by The Sunday Times.
He asked the watchdog to carry out a “quick high-level review” of the market and assess what steps could be taken “to ensure that consumers are not faced with unnecessarily high costs or other additional costs. poor performance “.
A spokesperson for the AMC said: “We are aware of concerns about the changing markets for Covid-19 testing for international travelers. We look forward to providing the Secretary of State with advice on how best to ensure travelers have access to affordable and reliable testing. “
The latest investigation comes after the Advertising Standards Authority said it was investigating, after receiving complaints from consumers about what it called “inconsistent pricing” of tests on the government website.
While there are over 450 alternatives listed on the government portal, the provision of testing and treatment is only done by a handful of laboratories, seven of which handle around 75% of the market.
Analysis of the offers announced by the top 50 companies on the list recently showed that of the 36 offering on-site testing or click-and-collect packages, the cheapest options for travelers, two-thirds did not. could be purchased or did not have an appointment until September.
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