• In Focus

    Covid-19: Impact on young people’s mental health

    The Covid-19 pandemic has had multiple effects on the lives of young people. These include worry for vulnerable family members and a change in normal routines. School closures have often exacerbated feelings of isolation and loneliness. Young people with existing mental health needs may have experienced a disruptive break in regular care as a result of the pandemic. This article examines the impact the pandemic has had on young people’s mental health, and what the Government’s response is.

  • In Focus

    Blackburn with Darwen and Bradford local lockdown

    In July 2020, a local lockdown was introduced in Blackburn with Darwen and in Luton. This followed the introduction of similar measures in Leicester. In August 2020, Luton was taken out of local lockdown. At the same time, restrictions were introduced for Bradford. This article summarises the measures introduced and how they have changed over time.

  • In Focus

    Leicester lockdown: Changes since July 2020

    In June 2020, the Government announced a local lockdown would be implemented in Leicester and surrounding areas. This was intended to limit the spread of Covid-19. This article provides an overview of how the local lockdown in Leicester and surrounding areas was introduced and the subsequent changes to the rules.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19: Lockdown legislation for the north of England

    In July 2020, the Government announced that it would introduce ‘local lockdowns’ in certain areas in the north of England in response to rates of Covid-19 that were above the national average. In early August, it made regulations to provide for these restrictions. The Government has since amended these with other instruments to reflect the changes in transmission rates and the easing of national restrictions. This article provides information on the original instrument and those which amended it.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19 regulations: Greencore workers

    In August 2020, Northampton saw an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. A large number of these transmissions were traced back to the Greencore factory in Northampton. On 21 August 2020, workers and their households were told to self-isolate for 14 days to limit the risk of further spread of the disease in the community, and to avoid a local lockdown. This article looks at the regulations introduced to enforce the restrictions.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19 regulations: Face coverings

    The Government has laid several statutory instruments requiring people to wear face coverings, with the aim of reducing the spread of Covid-19. These regulations include a list of “relevant places” where people must wear face coverings. The regulations have been updated with subsequent regulations that add places to the list and remove exemptions. The financial penalties for non-compliance have also been updated. This article looks at the requirements imposed by the various instruments.

  • In Focus

    Local lockdowns: The legislative framework in England

    The Government has relaxed many of the national coronavirus lockdown restrictions since the height of the pandemic. Instead, it has sought to control outbreaks in specific areas with ‘local lockdowns’. This article examines the legislative framework around local lockdowns and the parliamentary scrutiny they have undergone.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19: Impact on the UK cultural sector

    The UK’s arts and entertainment sector has been one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The decline in revenues and the number of workers furloughed over the past few months is second only to the accommodation and food sector. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s cultural industry and the Government’s recently announced support package worth £1.57 billion aimed at helping the sector recover.

  • In Focus

    Free school meals in the holidays: A permanent change?

    Children whose parents or guardians get certain benefits, and all children up to year 2, are entitled to a free school meal during term time. During the Covid-19 pandemic the Government introduced supermarket vouchers to cover the cost of a meal while the schools were closed. This scheme was extended into the Easter, May half term and summer school holidays. On 14 September 2020, Baroness D’Souza is due to ask the Government what assessment they have made of extending a programme of free meals and activities into all future school holidays.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19 regulations: Face coverings in shops

    On 23 July 2020 the Government laid regulations requiring people to wear face coverings in shops and some other indoor venues. The House of Lords is due to debate these regulations in September 2020. This article provides an overview of the regulations and the background to their introduction.

  • In Focus

    Coronavirus lockdown: Costs and benefits

    The coronavirus lockdown was introduced to reduce the spread of the disease. However, it also gave rise to substantial costs, both to the economy and in areas such as health, education, domestic violence and inequality. This article considers one analysis of these costs and how they compare to the benefits of the lockdown. This is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 28 July 2020.

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