Calls have been made for schools in to be provided with Covid home-testing kits so that pupils from “chaotic backgrounds” do not struggle to access testing, The Herald has reported.

Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservatives’ education spokesman, said the move would protect the most vulnerable pupils.

Mr Greene said: “There are thousands of vulnerable children across Scotland and many pupils who come from chaotic backgrounds who may struggle to get access to Covid testing.

“We have seen that people from poorer backgrounds were hit hardest throughout this pandemic. We must take steps to stop that happening again.”

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Mr Greene added: “The SNP government should issue testing kits to schools so that teachers can step in and help if they think it’s necessary.

“The prevalence of cases in schools is rising and we must make sure the most vulnerable are protected just as much as everyone else.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said children who need help to access a test were already supported by local health protection teams, but said this would be kept “under review”.

The spokesperson added: “Our advice remains that any pupil with symptoms should stay at home and that a test should be organised from home to avoid any risk of the virus being transmitted.”

Yesterday, first minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed that the number of children under 17 being tested for Covid in Scotland had soared eight-fold since the middle of July.

Ms Sturgeon said this should be “reassuring to parents and teachers” worried about the spread of Covid-19 following the reopening of schools.