On 2 March 2020, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Michael Gove, confirmed that his department would investigate alleged breaches of the ministerial code by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel. As at 29 October 2020, the results of that investigation are unclear. The issue of when a report may be published will be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 2 November 2020.
Documents to download
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Coronavirus Bill: emergency Covid-19 legislation (265 KB, PDF)
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.
Related Links
Documents to download
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Coronavirus Bill: emergency Covid-19 legislation (265 KB, PDF)
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The 2020 US election has been conducted during the coronavirus pandemic. At the start of the year, the candidates’ presidential campaigns had to be halted as many US states issued lockdown orders. Since June, the candidates have taken different approaches to appealing to voters. Donald Trump has tried to emulate his successful 2016 campaign while Joe Biden has been more cautious in his campaigning.
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The House of Lords made several changes to its procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the use of virtual sittings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This article provides a chronology of these developments.
