Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny …
Acknowledged
The effectiveness of governance arrangements overseen by the Cabinet Office is something that will continue to be of interest to the Committee and form part of its future work programme.
Government response AI summary
The government details the evolution of its COVID-19 governance arrangements, from initial COBR meetings and Ministerial Implementation Groups to the later establishment of the COVID-19 Strategy and COVID-19 Operations cabinet committees.
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14
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny …
Acknowledged
The two-monthly reports on the status of non-devolved provisions, published under section 97, should be an important tool for scrutiny, but as currently structured, the reports do not give enough detail to enable Parliament, experts or the public to do this. The Committee recommends that the Government includes in future …
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The two-monthly reports on the status of non-devolved provisions, published under section 97, should be an important tool for scrutiny, but as currently structured, the reports do not give enough detail to enable Parliament, experts or the public to do this. The Committee recommends that the Government includes in future reports evidence-based arguments for why the provisions continue to be necessary and quantitative evidence on the impact of using those provisions. If the Government is going to extend the relevant temporary provisions Coronavirus Act after the six- month point, it should consult briefly on what additional information to include in the two-monthly reports and strive to include this as soon as possible. The Committee recommends that the Government includes in future reports evidence- based arguments for why the provisions continue to be necessary and quantitative evidence on the impact of using those provisions. If the Government is going to extend the relevant temporary provisions Coronavirus Act after the six-month point, it should consult briefly on what additional information to include in the two-monthly reports and strive to include this as soon as possible. (Paragraph 64) The use of guidance and rule of law implications
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Government response AI summary
The government recognised the need for timely reports with evidence-based arguments and is considering additional helpful information, committing to publish analysis for anniversary debates, building on existing detailed two-month reports.
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17
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny …
Acknowledged
The Government’s published draft legislation for implementing future local lockdowns (referred to in Chapter 2 of this report) should mean that it is easier to publish all information immediately when implementing new local lockdowns or relaxing local lockdowns slowly. However, the draft legislation should be viewed as a “living document” …
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The Government’s published draft legislation for implementing future local lockdowns (referred to in Chapter 2 of this report) should mean that it is easier to publish all information immediately when implementing new local lockdowns or relaxing local lockdowns slowly. However, the draft legislation should be viewed as a “living document” and should be updated as other responses are developed. (Paragraph 78) Points of interest for the House for the six-monthly review
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's concerns, acknowledging past intervals between announcements and regulations. It commits to continually striving for timely future announcements and clearer wording in guidance, but provides no specific actions for viewing the draft legislation as a 'living document' or immediate publication.
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19
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny …
Acknowledged
While the House does not have the power to compel Ministers to cause specific temporary provisions under the Coronavirus Act to expire, the powers Ministers have under the Act means that Members of the House can still use the six-monthly reviews to urge the Government to expire or at least …
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While the House does not have the power to compel Ministers to cause specific temporary provisions under the Coronavirus Act to expire, the powers Ministers have under the Act means that Members of the House can still use the six-monthly reviews to urge the Government to expire or at least suspend particular provisions that do not seem to be necessary at that time.
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Government response AI summary
The government shares the committee's view that MPs should use six-monthly reviews to raise concerns and press Ministers on expiring or suspending provisions, citing an example where a Minister acted on such representations.
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20
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny …
Acknowledged
The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation. For example, “lockdown regulations”, are made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and would therefore not be legally affected by the six-monthly reviews. The Government should set out clearly before the debate which legislation (and therefore …
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The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation. For example, “lockdown regulations”, are made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and would therefore not be legally affected by the six-monthly reviews. The Government should set out clearly before the debate which legislation (and therefore which activities and aspects of the Government’s response to COVID-19) is not part of the Coronavirus Act and will not be affected by the debate and vote.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises concerns and hopes existing parliamentary briefings and public records have clarified the statutory basis of legislation, including what is not part of the Coronavirus Act. It also highlights the Secretary of State's commitment to debate significant national regulations before they come into …
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