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Matt Hancock under fire over incomprehensible testing targets

Matt Hancock
Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock has been criticised by the UK’s statistics watchdog over the use of coronavirus testing figures amid suggestions they are being used as part of a public relations exercise rather than to provide meaningful updates.

Sir David Norgrove, the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, warned the figures being presented were “still far from complete and comprehensible” and that many of the “key numbers make little sense”.

In a letter sent to the Health Secretary on Tuesday, Sir David took exception to the decision to include in the headline total of daily tests those which had been posted to members of the public but had not yet been processed.

Sir David said that the move suggested the aim was to “show the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding”.

He added that the main purpose of the data should be to show “how many people are infected” across the UK, and to whether the testing programme is working effectively.

His intervention comes several weeks after Mr Hancock was forced to defend the way the Health Department records daily tests, after it emerged that home-testing kits were counted as a test completed on the day they were posted.

Critics believe the decision to include tests in the post was motivated by Mr Hancock’s drive to hit his target of carrying out 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.

In recent days, the Government has also hit its second target of increasing national testing capacity to 200,000 per day.

However, in his letter, Sir David said that during press conferences ministers often failed to distinguish between tests carried out and tests posted, meaning that the figures “may misleadingly be described simply as the number of tests carried out”.

He also asked for an explanation as to why the Government has for several days stopped publishing the total number of people tested.

Due to many people requiring several tests, the actual number of people who are tested on a daily basis is often significantly lower than the total conducted.

Corona Virus - Daily Tests
Corona Virus - Daily Tests

“The testing statistics still fall well short of its expectations,” Sir David continued.

"It is not surprising that given their inadequacy data on testing are so widely criticised and often mistrusted.

“Statistics on testing perhaps serve two main purposes.

"The first is to help us understand the epidemic, alongside the ONS survey, showing us how many people are infected, or not, and their relevant characteristics.

"The second purpose is to help manage the test programme, to ensure there are enough tests, that they are carried out or sent where they are needed and that they are being used as effectively as possible.

"The data should tell the public how effectively the testing programme is being managed. The way the data are analysed and presented currently gives them limited value for the first purpose.

"The aim seems to be to show the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding. It is also hard to believe the statistics work to support the testing programme itself. The statistics and analysis serve neither purpose well."

Responding, a Number 10 spokesman said that Mr Hancock had responded to Sir David’s letter and had “reiterated his department’s commitment to working closely” with the watchdog.

“The statistics which are generated in challenging circumstances are presented in the best way possible,” he added.