Workplace COVID-19 tests to be tax free, Sunak confirms

People provided with coronavirus tests by their employers will not be treated as having a taxable benefit, following a change of heart by the UK Government.

HMRC had issued guidance that tax would be due on tests ordered by employers, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak has since confirmed that such tests would be exempt from tax.

A Treasury spokesman said: "Given the importance of widespread testing, we want to ensure that all employers who wish to provide third-party testing to their employees can do so without increasing their tax liability. So, we will introduce a new income tax exemption for COVID-19 antigen tests provided by employers. HMRC will amend its guidance as soon as possible to reflect this change."

Further tax measures to stimulate the UK economy will be unveiled by the Chancellor later today.