Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Seventh Report - Coronavirus Act 2020 Two Years On
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 978
Published 18 March 2022
Government response
First Special Report - Coronavirus Act 2020 Two Years On: Government response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2021–22 · published 18 May 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 28
Any future use of sunset clauses in relation to emergency legislation should come with a...
Conclusion
Any future use of sunset clauses in relation to emergency legislation should come with a clear explanation about why the Government believes that the length of the sunset being proposed is proportionate to the emergency being addressed.
Government Response Summary
The government states the sunset clause aimed to strike a balance and highlights the Act's flexibility to expire or suspend provisions before the sunset date, and the inclusion of six-monthly reviews and renewal votes in Parliament.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 58
The Committee noted the existence of the draft Pandemic Flu Bill and believes that, although...
Conclusion
The Committee noted the existence of the draft Pandemic Flu Bill and believes that, although appreciating that the uncertainty around the future make it difficult, conducting pre-legislative scrutiny to provide an update and improved version of previous work would be …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the Act was built on a draft emergency bill and states that future emergency legislation would always need to be tailored to the specific threat posed at the time, while continuing to review the legal framework and lessons learned.
9
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 59
The Committee urges the Government to look again at the possibility of introducing a piece...
Recommendation
The Committee urges the Government to look again at the possibility of introducing a piece or range of draft legislation to allow for prior scrutiny of plans before an emergency occurs. Whilst the Committee appreciates the point made by the …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the Act was built on a draft emergency bill and states that future emergency legislation would always need to be tailored to the specific threat posed at the time, while continuing to review the legal framework and lessons learned.