Sorry, Priti Patel, but if it's 'wrong to say' there are no tests available - then where are they?

That's despite the Home Secretary appearing on breakfast TV to say it would be "wrong to say" there are none on offer.

"Tests are available, you've heard me say, particularly in lockdown areas," she said.

"I've seen this myself, I've seen the teams that have been working on this.

"Mobile testing is going in, capacity is going into local areas where lockdowns have been undertaken and are taking place.

"I think it's wrong to say tests are not available, new book-in slots are being made available every single day, mobile testing units are being made available.

"And on top of that home testing kits are being issued across the country but specifically in local lockdown areas."

This morning, the same as yesterday, attempts to book a Covid-19 test on the Government's website were unsuccessful.

"This service is currently very busy," a message said.

"More tests should be available later. If you cannot book a test now, or the location or time are not convenient, try again in a few hours."

Parents across the Fylde coast have spoken of their frustration of not being able to get a test, especially locally, with one mum saying she was directed to Inverness, which is 350 miles away in Scotland.

That was after Blackpool's director of public health Dr Arif Rajpura said schoolchildren should be tested even if they show rarer symptoms of coronavirus such as headaches, sore throats, and tiredness.

And at least four schools - Westcliff in Bispham, Armfield in South Shore, St John Vianney, and Bispham Endowed - have sent pupils home following confirmed cases.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are very concerned that the fantastic work of schools and colleges in putting in place a raft of safety measures in order to fully reopen for the autumn term is at risk of being derailed by a lack of capacity in the test and trace system.

“Staff and pupils must be able to obtain tests immediately and easily, so that if they are clear of the virus they can return to school as soon as possible, and if they are positive then the appropriate action can be taken to contact and isolate close contacts. If this does not happen the system will come under increasing strain and the health risks will grow."

Last week, NHS Test and Trace's director of testing apologised to people who were unable to get a test.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) insists that the capacity of the NHS Test and Trace system is at the highest it has ever been, but said there has been a “significant” demand for tests.

This includes demand from people “who do not have symptoms and are not otherwise eligible”, the DHSC said.

A mobile testing unit is expected to be in Blackpool on Thursday and Friday, it was reported yesterday, though no location was given.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Tests need to be readily available for everyone so that pupils and staff who test negative can get back into school quickly.

"The government assured us that this would be ready, but at the first sign of stress it seems to be falling over.

"This will put the successful and sustainable return to school at serious risk.

"It is unacceptable for this to happen when schools have put so much effort into getting their part of the plan right, and when pupils have had to endure so much uncertainty and disruption already.”