PCR tests are required for passengers to fly out to some countries as well as to return to the UK without the need for quarantine. However, companies offering the tests have been accused of long delays, invalid results and missing items in kits.
It was found that out of the 26 companies offering the £20 tests for days two and eight were only provided by four of the firms.
Tory MP Nigel Mills lashed out at the current system and dubbed it a “complete shambles”.
He urged the Government to complete an audit of all providers to check on them.
He said: “This is a very worrying situation.
“We need travel to get back up and running again, and these firms are crucial to that.
“They need to massively improve.”
Mr Mills said providers should be dropped if they are failing to provide the essential tests.
He continued: “Anyone on the approved list has to be up to standard.
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Similarly, Covid-19 Travel Clinic’s tests were £28 but available at Newcastle only where there were no slots.
This meant people had to pay £149 for a test.
A company spokesperson said: “These slots are selling like hotcakes as they’re the cheapest.”
Avi Lasarow, of Government-approved test provider Project Screen, said the Government needs to clamp down on these “cowboy operators”.
He said: “The list is being ruthlessly exploited by testing providers luring in consumers with misleading prices and then offering tests up to nine times more expensive.
“They’re clearly trying to make a quick buck and that’s not fair.
“The Government has done a great job including the private sector in testing solutions, but they really need to clamp down on these cowboy operators so that consumer confidence does not erode.”
He went on to say the Government needs to axe “VAT on holiday Covid tests” to reduce the price.
Mr Lasarow added: “Not only would they fly safer and cheaper, but it would mean an extra seven million people would be prepared to go abroad, which would be a huge boost to the UK travel industry.
“We promise if the Government axes VAT on holiday Covid tests, we will pass on every single penny saved to the public.
“And we challenge everyone in the testing industry to do the same.”
A Government spokesperson said: “All private providers must meet the minimum required standards.”
