Documents to download

The bill has a two-year sunset clause and the Government has described the powers as “temporary and proportionate”. The bill’s powers include: 

  • emergency registration of health professionals and social workers;
  • provision of indemnity insurance for health workers and compensation schemes for health service volunteers;
  • amendments to mental health legislation, to allow certain functions relating to the detention and treatment of patients to be satisfied by fewer doctors’ opinions or certifications;
  • closure of educational establishments, powers to force educational and childcare providers to remain open, and the relaxing of staff-child ratios in educational settings;
  • detention of those suspected of being infected with Covid-19, for the purposes of screening and assessment;
  • restrictions on public gatherings, the movement of transport, and the closure of ports and airports;
  • reforms to death management processes, including the registering of deaths and the transport and disposal of dead bodies; and
  • postponement of local and mayoral elections, which had been planned in May 2020.

The Labour Party has expressed general support for the bill. However, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Opposition, has stated that the continued enforcement of the bill’s powers should be subject to a vote in the House of Commons every six months.

On 24 March 2020, the second reading of the bill is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. The remaining stages are due to be completed on 25 March 2020.


Documents to download

Related posts

  • Creating a national accident prevention strategy

    Highlighting the human and economic costs of accidents, and rising rates of accidental deaths in the UK, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has called for the government to create a national accident prevention strategy. RoSPA argues that currently, responsibility for accident prevention is too fragmented. The government has not yet commented on this proposal.

    Creating a national accident prevention strategy
  • Competition for specialist training programmes in the NHS: Sector views and the government’s plans for resident doctor training posts

    In recent years, resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) have faced increased competition for specialty training roles. Doctors can apply for specialty training after completing two years of foundation placements. While NHS England is in the process of reviewing postgraduate training for medics, the government’s new 10 year plan for the NHS has pledged to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors with significant NHS experience for specialty training. The plan also included an ambition to create more specialist posts.

    Competition for specialist training programmes in the NHS: Sector views and the government’s plans for resident doctor training posts
  • Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

    The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.

    Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”