Health Secretary concedes that government’s COVID-19 app is missing the button that people are meant to use to help them access the £500 self-isolation payment

Mr Hancock says button 'is coming', despite having told Parliament two weeks ago that it is 'there on the app'

The government's COVID-19 app is missing the button that people are meant to use to help them access the £500 self-isolation payment, despite the Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock having told Parliament two weeks ago that the 'button is there on the app.' 

On 21 September 2020, the government announced that a new 'Test and Trace Support payment' would be made available for people in England claiming qualifying benefits or working tax credit who are required to self-isolate, and Mr Hancock said in the Commons on 22 October 2020 that -

'When it comes to making sure that people press the button on the app to access the £500 self-isolation payment for the low-paid, that button is there on the app.'

However, Labour MP Rachael Maskell highlighted yesterday that -

'Two weeks ago, I asked the Health Secretary about the button that was meant to be on the app to release a reference code for people to claim the £500. The Health Secretary specifically came to the Dispatch Box to say that they just needed to press that button. That button does not exist - it did not exist then and it still does not exist today - so why did he make that intervention and how is he going to rectify the situation so people can claim that £500?'

In response, the Health and Social Care Secretary said -

'Yes, the button is coming; it is in development.'

For more information see Rachael Maskell's question and the Health and Social Care Secretary's answer from Hansard.