Kate Garraway gets firm in tense debate with Edwina Currie over PCR test costs

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5video

Kate Garraway clashed with Edwina Currie on air after a debate about the cost of PCR tests for travelling abroad became ‘personal’.

The former politician appeared on Friday’s Good Morning Britain to discuss the charges faced by people in the UK who want to go abroad.

Kate shared that she is hoping to travel within the country with her children Billy and Darcey, who she shares with husband Derek Draper who is still battling the effects of Covid-19 more than a year on.

The programme touched on costs of a test before going abroad being higher if you need the results in a shorter turnaround time.

When it was Edwina’s time to speak, she said: ‘Kate said a moment ago that you have no choice, and the fact is – yes you do.

‘You do not have to go on a foreign holiday. Kate bring the kids up to the Peak District, you’ll have a lovely time.’

Taken aback, Kate replied: ‘Actually as you’ve made it personal, it’s not necessarily about that but I’ve been trying to book a holiday in the UK and I’ve not been able to find something that is suitable as I have particular needs, and I can talk about that another time.

‘But actually your point doesn’t help the travel industry. The whole point of the PCR tests and getting things going is to encourage people to travel safely, not being at risk, this is what the government said…’

The guest urged Kate to ‘let me answer the question, but the newsreader stressed that she wants to travel ‘for a very specific reason’ and not a holiday.

Edwina said: ‘We have lots of people with special needs who holiday in all parts of the United Kingdom, so the idea that you have to pay for these tests in order to go on holiday…’

Kate interjected: ‘I haven’t said it’s a holiday, Edwina, so let’s just leave it’ before pointedly sipping from her mug, not wanting to get into it further.

Edwina went to claim that ‘you get what you pay for’ and that ‘high wages’ in the UK, and a faster turnaround time will result in higher costs.

The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star ended the segment by reading out a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care which said ‘they have requested urgent advice from the CMA [Competition and Markets Authority] to help stamp out any exploitative behaviour in the private testing market.

‘While they await CMA’s advice it will continue to make sure testing providers are held to account and companies that fail to meet those high standards will be removed from the list of approved suppliers without hesitation.’

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Source: Read Full Article