As the nation faced a huge shortage of lateral flow kits, one woman was caught stockpiling them and selling them online for a quick profit.

The Facebook user tried selling tests for £10 on a community group for Bentilee, in Stoke, and was met with furious backlash.

She boasted of having ‘large quantities’ of kits available despite hardly any being in stock at pharmacies across North Staffordshire or on the Government’s website.

The profiteer even promised to guarantee next day delivery, but her post got an angry reaction and she has since been banned from the group.

Thousands of Brits have struggled to find rapid tests after the Christmas period as the nation returns to work and school this week.

Some sellers have been caught trying to flog lateral flow tests for £100 on eBay and marketplace sites in an attempt to make a quick buck.

Despite the sale of such kits being prohibited on these sites, some sellers are trying to get around the rules.

Demand for lateral flows is high following the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had urged people to take a test before meeting up with friends and family or returning to work.

Conservative MP Tory Nigel said: ‘It is a disgrace that some people would try to exploit a national shortage of tests as a way to make money.

‘The online websites and any auction houses should refuse to list the tests for sale.’

The UK Health Security Agency has announced eight million kits will be made available to pharmacies – but many appear to be finding their way online to be sold for profit.

Health Minister Edward Argar has also moved to reassure the public orders have been ramped up.

He added: ‘Tests are available. We advise people to keep going on the website to refresh it and they will find that every hour more slots are available for booking one for delivery or for collecting from pharmacies.

‘We’ve ramped up supply to reflect that and you’ll continue to see
that supply increasing in the coming weeks.’

The Omicron variant sparked countrywide test shortages and delays
throughout December.

Its rapid spread could leave up to 1.4million public sector workers absent, with nearly one in 10 NHS staff already off work at New Year.

People are still struggling to find tests in pharmacies due to ‘inconsistent’ supplies and people are said to be requesting them in store ‘every five minutes’.

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