Health secretary Matt Hancock says the government is considering increasing the number of Covid-19 home-testing kits it makes available to schools.

He confirmed this to MPs at the House of Commons today after facing questions on why the full reopening of schools was being undermined by coronavirus testing problems.

Schools were given 10 home-testing kits to be used in exceptional circumstances at the start of term, but there have been warnings that these supplies are already being depleted because of the problems teachers and parents face in accessing tests elsewhere.

Tes revealed earlier this week that schools have been able to order more kits from this Wednesday but neither the Department for Education nor the Department of Health and Social Care would confirm how many additional kits a school can receive. The kits are sent to school in sets of 10.

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Speaking in the Commons today, Conservative MP Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) said a school principal had suggested increasing the number of kits supplied to schools from 10 to 30 to better ensure that children remain in the classroom.

He asked: “Can [Mr Hancock] confirm to the House whether his department is planning on increasing the number of testing kits which are distributed to educational settings?”

Mr Hancock replied: “Yes, we’re looking at exactly that.”

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During the same session, Labour MP Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) said: “The heroic efforts of teachers to enable the full reopening of schools are being undermined by the chaos of the testing system.

“When will schoolchildren, teachers and school staff have reliable, rapid access to testing and results so that Covid cases can be swiftly identified and isolated and disruption to education minimised?”

Mr Hancock replied: “The message to her constituent and, indeed, others is that there are thousands of tests available in her part of London and it is incredibly important that those with symptoms come forward, but that those who do not have symptoms do not.”

Conservative former minister Dame Cheryl Gillan asked whether it would be sensible to prioritise testing for teachers so that schools can be kept open.

She said: “A headteacher has written to me saying, ‘We now have teachers and teachers’ children with Covid symptoms, which means they’re off in isolation and they’re being told that there are no tests available for 21 days.’”

Dame Cheryl added: “Would it not be sensible to prioritise testing for teachers if it’s a priority to keep schools open?”

Responding, Mr Hancock said: “We’ve sent tests to all schools to make sure that they have tests available, but I also recognise the challenges, of course, in getting hold of tests.

“I do not accept at all that there’s a delay of 21 days and nobody should accept that - that is not government policy.”