Coronavirus Act 2020 (Review of Temporary Provisions) — 30 Sep 2020 at 16:48

The majority of MPs voted to retain temporary arrangements connected to the coronavirus pandemic on closing buildings, restricting events and gatherings, suspending evictions, enabling greater use of video and audio technology in courts and restricting the liberty of potentially infectious persons.

The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should not yet expire.

Section 98 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 required a six-monthly review by the House of Commons many of the provisions of the Act as a condition of them continuing to have effect.

Provisions where the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland were empowered to determine the expiry date were excluded from the impact of the Commons motion.

Further provisions which did not expire automatically within two years of the Act being passed and were not subject to the six-monthly approval were set out in Section 89(2) and were:

• Section 1 which defines of “coronavirus” and related terminology
• Many elements of section 2 relating to the emergency registration of nurses and other health and care professionals.
• Many elements of section 6 on the emergency registration of social workers in England and Wales.
• Sections 11, 12 and 13 on indemnification for health service activity.
• Section 17 relating to NHS and local authority care and support in Scotland.
• Section 19(11) and Section 21(7) - transitional arrangements for the ceasing of temporary arrangements relating to suspension of the requirement for a confirmatory medical certificate prior to cremation.
• Sections 59 to 70 on the postponement of elections.
• Sections 72 to 74 on National Insurance contributions.
• Section 75(1) on Financial assistance for industry.
• Section 76 on powers for the treasury to direct Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
• Parts 2 to 5 of Schedule 7, and section 8 so far as relating to those Parts;
• Part 3 of Schedule 8, and section 10(1) and Part 1 of that Schedule so far as relating to that Part on Emergency volunteering leave.
• Parts 3 and 4 of Schedule 10, and section 10(3) and Part 1 of that Schedule so far as relating to those Parts on Mental health
• Parts 3 and 4 of Schedule 11, and section 10(4) and Part 1 of that Schedule so far as relating to those Parts on Mental health
• Paragraphs 3(2) and (3), 10, 13, 18, 30, 33 and 35 of Schedule 12, and section 15 and paragraphs 1 and 19 of that Schedule so far as relating to those paragraphs on Local authority care and support
• Paragraphs 8, 9, 15, 16 and 30 of Schedule 13, and section 18 and paragraphs 1, 10 and 17 of that Schedule so far as relating to those paragraphs on registration of deaths and still-births.

The provisions which were temporary and subject to the six-monthly approval by the House of Commons include arrangements relating to:

• Appointment of temporary Judicial Commissioners.
• Extension of time limits for retention of fingerprints and DNA profiles.
• Power to require information relating to food supply chains.
• Suspension of requirement to hold inquest with jury: England and Wales.
• Temporary closure of educational institutions and childcare premises.
• Statutory sick pay and pensions.
• Power to suspend port operations.
• Powers relating to potentially infectious persons.
• Powers to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises
• Courts and tribunals: use of video and audio technology
• Powers in relation to transportation, storage and disposal of dead bodies etc
• National Insurance Contributions
• Up-rating of working tax credit etc
• Local authority meetings
• Business improvement districts
• Residential tenancies: protection from eviction
• Business tenancies: protection from forfeiture etc
• Postponement of General Synod elections

Debate in Parliament |