Seventh Report - Coronavirus Act 2020 Two Years On

Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee HC 978 18 March 2022
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 13 items (5 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 13 of 13 classified)
Accepted 3
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 2
Clear

Recommendations

2 results
6 Acknowledged
Para 47
In order to provide clarity to the public, the Committee calls on the Government to...
Recommendation
In order to provide clarity to the public, the Committee calls on the Government to set out in more detail the timetable for the inquiry. We also call on the Government to require that the inquiry proceeds in a thorough … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government refers to the independent, statutory public inquiry into COVID-19 and its broad scope, stating that whether any additional centrally-coordinated review will take place on the individual provisions in the Act is still to be determined.
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13 Acknowledged
The Committee calls on the Government to carefully consider the use of guidance in future...
Recommendation
The Committee calls on the Government to carefully consider the use of guidance in future emergencies to ensure maximum clarity and minimal complexity for the public and law enforcement. The Government should ensure that future legislation of this type doesn’t … Read more
Government Response Summary
The Government recognises the different roles that guidance and legislation play in supporting the public in responding to the pandemic and the importance of Parliamentary scrutiny. They have sought to learn lessons on its communications approach.
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1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 27
The Committee noted that sunset clauses, including their appropriate length, should be considered carefully for any future legislation. Whilst a useful legislative tool, they can allow for stronger and broader powers than would otherwise be passed by Parliament, and the Government recognised in their evidence that without the sunset clause, …
Government Response Summary
The government states that the sunset clause for the temporary provisions within the Act aimed to strike a balance between introducing necessary provisions to tackle the pandemic, whilst ensuring they remained in force for only as long as they were needed. The government continues to review the legal framework and lessons learned from COVID- 19.
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 36
Whilst we accept the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s defence of the length of the sunset clause, we have concerns over the lack of ability to amend provisions at subsequent points. The Committee welcomes Mr Javid’s acknowledgment that Parliament not being able to amend at least some …
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the vital importance of Parliamentary scrutiny and believes each of the powers in the Act has been subject to in-depth Parliamentary scrutiny throughout the lifespan of the Act, noting the Committee's view on the ability to amend individual provisions.
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
The Committee noted the improvement in the content of the two-monthly reports and welcomes the Government committing to identify further improvements that could be made as part of a ‘lessons learned’ inquiry. We look forward to seeing these improvements in the report of March 2022 which will cover the four …
Government Response Summary
The government thanks the Committee for recognising improvements to the two-monthly reports and commits to continuing to improve the quality of these reports, taking on board feedback.
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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 46
The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment to a thorough and wide- ranging inquiry to learn the lessons from the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Committee welcomes that the inquiry’s draft terms of reference are being put for public consultation, and that bereaved families and other affected groups are …
Government Response Summary
The government refers to the independent, statutory public inquiry into COVID-19 and its broad scope, stating that whether any additional centrally-coordinated review will take place on the individual provisions in the Act is still to be determined.
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10 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 66
The Committee welcomes the Government’s willingness to consider whether the publication of data in future emergencies could be improved.
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of sharing COVID-19 data and highlights existing surveillance systems, SAGE publications, and UKHSA's work with the Office for Statistics Regulation.
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12 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 74
We welcome the commitment from the Secretary of State to learn lessons from the way the Government legislated during this pandemic and expect it to be a subject of investigation within the upcoming inquiry into the Government’s COVID-19 response. The Committee has noted that the use of guidance to change …
Government Response Summary
The Government recognises the different roles that guidance and legislation play in supporting the public in responding to the pandemic and the importance of Parliamentary scrutiny. They have sought to learn lessons on its communications approach.
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