Coronavirus Archives

In Focus

UK preparedness for Covid-19: Lords scrutiny of the 2009 swine flu pandemic

Wednesday, 01 April, 2020

In 2009–10, the UK faced an outbreak of H1N1 swine flu. This article summarises the measures introduced by the then Labour Government which were intended to mitigate the potential impact of swine flu, including the establishment of a public awareness campaign and attempts to increase intensive-care capacity in hospitals. It also looks at the role of the House of Lords in scrutinising the then Government’s handling of the outbreak.
In Focus

Coronavirus Bill: What happened in the House of Lords?

Friday, 27 March, 2020

This article summarises the scrutiny of the Coronavirus Act 2020 in the House of Lords. The Act was emergency legislation passed by Parliament in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Act provided the Government with a range of powers to tackle the disease, including: the closure of schools and nurseries; powers to detain those suspected of having the virus; and restrictions on public gatherings.
In Focus

Covid-19 and the police: New powers but more pressure?

Friday, 27 March, 2020

This article examines the potential pressures the Covid-19 pandemic may put on policing, along with the changes that have been made to help forces manage.
- In Focus
- Communities
- Coronavirus
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In Focus

Pandemic insurance and government as insurer of last resort

Friday, 27 March, 2020

This article looks at the Government’s role as ‘insurer of last resort’. Over time, the areas where it takes this role have expanded from basic military, health and welfare provision to include, for example, elements of flood, terrorism and travel risks. Coronavirus has widened this scope further. The article also considers the costs of providing cover, and whether the private sector might cover more of the risks arising from pandemics.
In Focus

Coronavirus Bill: What emergency powers does the Government already have?

Monday, 23 March, 2020

The Government recently introduced the Coronavirus Bill 2020, which would give it new emergency powers. This article looks at the powers the Government already has to deal with emergencies.
- In Focus
- Coronavirus
- Government
- Health
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Coronavirus Bill: emergency Covid-19 legislation

Friday, 20 March, 2020

The bill proposes new laws that would provide the Government, and various public bodies, with powers to manage the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.
In Focus

Coronavirus: Emergency legislation

Friday, 20 March, 2020

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Government introduced the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 which gave it emergency powers to reduce transmission of the virus. The article summarises the powers in the regulations and speculation about what might be contained in a future Coronavirus Bill. The article also considers other powers the Government has to deal with emergencies, such as those in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
Research Briefing

Loneliness: Care Homes

Tuesday, 17 March, 2020

This briefing examines recent Government policy to tackle loneliness in care homes in the UK.
Research Briefing

Spring Budget 2020

Friday, 13 March, 2020

The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the first budget since the 2019 election on 11 March 2020. It contained a series of measures to counteract threats from the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Chancellor also announced changes to taxation policy and an increase in public spending.
Research Briefing

Coronavirus, Hong Kong and UK Government Support

Wednesday, 11 March, 2020

Hong Kong has had 118 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease and three deaths as at 10 March 2020. Hong Kong’s government has sought to contain the virus through strict quarantine and travel restrictions and by closing some public services, including schools. However, concerns have been raised about the social and economic impact of the measures taken.
In Focus

Budget and the spending review

Tuesday, 10 March, 2020

Spending reviews set out the Government’s plan for much of its expenditure over the following few years. This article summarises the current position in the spending review cycle. It also describes how reviews relate to budgets, which take place more frequently, and to fiscal rules, which set targets for overall government debt and deficit. Finally, it considers the possible impact of coronavirus on these three elements of fiscal policy.
Research Briefing

Coronavirus: A Public Health Emergency

Wednesday, 05 February, 2020

The coronavirus was declared a public health emergency on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), only the sixth such emergency since 2009. The declaration followed reports on 31 December 2019 of an unknown virus causing a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in eastern China. The virus was later identified as a new strain of coronavirus (Cov). This House of Lords Library briefing provides information about: the virus, including its spread and impact; what action the WHO and UK Government have taken; and the problem of disinformation in relation to the disease.

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