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Covid: MPs to vote on renewing emergency powers Covid: Ministers treating Parliament with 'contempt,' says Speaker Hoyle
(about 1 hour later)
MPs will vote later on whether to extend emergency powers given to the government to tackle coronavirus. The government is treating Parliament with "contempt" by pushing through new powers to tackle coronavirus without debate, the Commons Speaker has said.
Dozens of Conservative MPs are demanding more parliamentary scrutiny of the multiple restrictions in place. Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he could not give MPs a vote on getting a bigger say on renewing emergency powers later.
Talks are continuing ahead of the vote in an attempt to reach a compromise and prevent any rebellion. But it was not a decision he had "taken lightly" - and he issued a stern warning to the government to give MPs a chance to debate future policy changes.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said ministers were "looking at" the options but defended the need to act quickly to save lives as cases rise. His ruling ends the prospect of a backbench Conservative rebellion.
During a BBC interview, he rejected suggestions that many ministers did not understand the varying rules in force across England - after Boris Johnson apologised for stumbling over them on Monday - and criticised what he suggested were "gotcha" questions intended to catch people out. Dozens of Tory MPs were backing an amendment by Tory MP Sir Graham Brady calling for future regulations affecting the whole of England only to be introduced if Parliament has the opportunity to debate and vote on them in advance.
Ahead of Wednesday's vote, Conservative MP Steve Baker, one of those seeking more checks over the government's powers, said it was "a fork in the road" moment. In a statement before Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Lindsay said he was unable to select any amendments ahead of a vote on the renewal of the powers to avoid "undermining the rule of law".
The BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Baker and others, who will meet Chief Whip Mark Spencer later, were an "organised and determined group" who had the numbers to potentially defeat the government, even though it has a Commons majority of 80. But he added: "The way in which the government has exercised its powers to make secondary legislation during this crisis has been totally unsatisfactory.
Questioned as he entered Number 10 ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Mr Spencer was asked: "Are you going to give MPs a say?" He replied: "Yeah we are." "All too often important statutory instruments have been published a matter of hours before they come into force and some explanations as to why important measures have come into effect before they can be laid before this House has been unconvincing and shows a total disregard for the House."
Lockdown and self-isolation He said he was "now looking to the government to rebuild trust with the House not treat it with the contempt it has shown".
Conservative MP Steve Baker, one of those seeking more checks over the government's powers, said he was satisfied with the ruling.
"Mr Speaker's decision is entirely reasonable and his statement will reassure all MPs supporting Sir Graham (Brady).
"I hope and expect to reach a good compromise with the government shortly so we can advance as one team."
Vote later
The Commons will vote on whether to renew coronavirus legislation passed at the start of the pandemic in March, which gives the government sweeping powers to act but has to be extended every six months.The Commons will vote on whether to renew coronavirus legislation passed at the start of the pandemic in March, which gives the government sweeping powers to act but has to be extended every six months.
At least 16.6 million people in the UK - about one in four people - are subject to local lockdowns which a growing number of MPs think are disproportionate even though they have often been requested by local leaders. At least 16.6 million people in the UK - about one in four people - are subject to local lockdowns - and a growing number of MPs have expressed their concern that the measures are disproportionate even though they have often been requested by local leaders.
MPs are concerned recent interventions - including Wednesday's tightening of restrictions on separate households in the North East of England mixing indoors in public places - have been announced with little warning or debate.MPs are concerned recent interventions - including Wednesday's tightening of restrictions on separate households in the North East of England mixing indoors in public places - have been announced with little warning or debate.
Former chief whip Mark Harper said rules introduced earlier this week requiring people to self-isolate or face fines of up to £10,000 had come into force seven hours after being signed off by ministers and with no debate.
He said it was wrong that those mistakenly identified as a recent close contact of someone with the virus would be forced to quarantine for 10 days and had no means of challenging it.
Peter Bone said the "rule of six" limit on indoor and outdoor social gatherings was an "extraordinary restriction on the liberty of the British people" which had not been properly scrutinised.
Ex-minister Nusrat Ghani said the use of Covid marshalls to enforce the rules and the lack of support for pubs and other venues forced to close early risked "damaging the public's faith in our collective effort to tackle the virus".
'Reasonable offer'
Dozens of Tory MPs are backing an amendment by Sir Graham Brady calling future regulations affecting the whole of England only to be introduced if Parliament has the opportunity to debate and vote on them in advance.
However, it is thought unlikely that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will select Sir Graham's amendment for debate.
Mr Baker said he and others would "gladly back down" if there was "a reasonable offer which we can accept".
But, if not, he said they "are not going to go away and we will have to keep on battling on, as I say, with a fierce resolve to preserve the institutions which we are proud of and which we wish to defend in the public interest."
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems said they would vote against extending the Coronavirus Act because of the power it gave ministers to "reduce rights" for carers.Meanwhile, the Lib Dems said they would vote against extending the Coronavirus Act because of the power it gave ministers to "reduce rights" for carers.
The business secretary told the BBC that he hoped all MPs understood the government's priority was to save lives and to avoid having to take "more draconian" action in the future, such as a blanket lockdown.
"What colleagues are asking for is there some way, prior to decisions being made, whether they can be involved," he told Radio 4's Today.
"That is something we are looking at and we will come forward with some suggestions."
What are the coronavirus powers?What are the coronavirus powers?
The powers that ministers are using to respond to the pandemic are based on two Acts of Parliament.The powers that ministers are using to respond to the pandemic are based on two Acts of Parliament.
The Coronavirus Act, an emergency piece of legislation fast-tracked through Parliament at the end of March, grants extensive powers to the authorities to tackle Covid.The Coronavirus Act, an emergency piece of legislation fast-tracked through Parliament at the end of March, grants extensive powers to the authorities to tackle Covid.
It was used to close schools, postpone elections and stop mass gatherings. It also allows the authorities to forcibly quarantine anyone testing positive for the virus.It was used to close schools, postpone elections and stop mass gatherings. It also allows the authorities to forcibly quarantine anyone testing positive for the virus.
It is due to remain in force for two years, although there is a six-month review on Wednesday, when MPs will decide whether it should continue.It is due to remain in force for two years, although there is a six-month review on Wednesday, when MPs will decide whether it should continue.
But most of the major interventions - including the national lockdown and the current local restrictions across England - are based on much-older legislation going back nearly 40 years.But most of the major interventions - including the national lockdown and the current local restrictions across England - are based on much-older legislation going back nearly 40 years.
The 1984 Public Health (Control of Disease) Act, passed by Parliament during the Thatcher era, gave her government and its successors very broad powers to deal with medical emergencies.The 1984 Public Health (Control of Disease) Act, passed by Parliament during the Thatcher era, gave her government and its successors very broad powers to deal with medical emergencies.
Successive measures to control the virus, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops and the "rule of six" limit on gatherings, have been introduced through regulations linked to this law.Successive measures to control the virus, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops and the "rule of six" limit on gatherings, have been introduced through regulations linked to this law.
Regulations are legislative instruments which must be approved by Parliament but are often not debated.Regulations are legislative instruments which must be approved by Parliament but are often not debated.
They can subsequently be amended to authorise further restrictions although ministers are required to review the initial regulations every 28 days when Parliament is sitting.They can subsequently be amended to authorise further restrictions although ministers are required to review the initial regulations every 28 days when Parliament is sitting.
The Health Protection Regulations 2020, which introduced the lockdown, came into force when Parliament was not sitting in late March and were retrospectively approved in early May.The Health Protection Regulations 2020, which introduced the lockdown, came into force when Parliament was not sitting in late March and were retrospectively approved in early May.
In some cases during the pandemic, government policy has been based on voluntary guidance which, while it does not have legal force, has often been more restrictive.In some cases during the pandemic, government policy has been based on voluntary guidance which, while it does not have legal force, has often been more restrictive.
Are you in an area under lockdown? How are the rules affecting you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in an area under lockdown? How are the rules affecting you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: