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Government's emergency virus Bill a 'drastic reimagining of state powers'

HUMAN-rights campaigners and opposition figures warned of a “drastic reimagining of state powers” in the guise of the Emergency Coronavirus Bill announced in Parliament today.

The Bill gives emergency powers to the government to take urgent action on the Covid-19 outbreak.

Tabled by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the measures are expected to last for two years and will be rushed through the Commons on Monday.

Plans include giving police and immigration officers sweeping powers to arrest people suspected of carrying the virus and not self-isolating.

Liberty director Martha Spurrier said it was “essential to remain vigilant to any watering down of rights or overbearing restrictions on civil liberties,” warning that the approach could set a dangerous precedent.

She said: “We must not allow the hollowing-out of human rights to become the go-to for the government when it’s in a crisis.

“The changes they are suggesting are not tweaks, they are a drastic reimagining of state powers.”

Ms Spurrier warned that substantial changes must come with a solid commitment that they will be regularly scrutinised and used proportionately.

Labour peer John Hendy told the Star the measures outlined in the Bill were “completely excessive” in relation to civil liberties, but not stringent enough on protecting workers.

He said: “No-one knows how long this crisis will last. And projections are likely to be flawed, as they may under- or over-estimate [the pandemic].

“But to estimate that legislation will be required for two years seems unnecessary. If it is still required after six months, no doubt Parliament can renew it.

“I think it is grossly excessive. We are not talking about the plague here.”

Mr Hendy said the Bill did nothing to protect the 3.7 million working people at risk of having their incomes slashed or losing jobs, and said it was “out of proportion” compared to elderly deaths from hypothermia when people are unable to afford to heat their homes.

In a letter to the PM on Wednesday Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the party recognised the need for urgent intervention, but warned that the new powers must be reviewed by Parliament every six months by a fresh vote.

He wrote: “Given how far-reaching [restrictions] are proposed to be, people’s elected representatives must be able to decide whether to renew the legislation at least every six months, up to its expiration after two years.

“We will carefully scrutinise the Bill in areas that affect our civil liberties.”

The Scottish government also announced that it intends to bring forward its own emergency legislation before Easter.

MSP Mike Russell told Holyrood this was an “urgent timetable” that would require a lot of discussion, but that efforts were being made to ensure provisions in Scotland were covered.

He said: “The next few weeks and possibly months will be a uniquely difficult time, when the people of Scotland will be asked to take unprecedented action as part of our collective action to protect our citizens and save lives.”

Scottish Labour’s Alex Rowley said he recognised the need for the legislation to be brought forward, but said he thought it should be renewed on a six-monthly basis.

Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford said the emergency legislation would allow ministers more control in devolved areas, and would include being able to re-purpose schools and ban mass gatherings.

Mr Drakeford said: “These are powers to be used if we reach a point where such draconian interventions in the lives of individuals are necessary.”

A Downing Street spokesman rejected suggestions of a travel ban in and around the capital.

The government has announced that up to 20,000 service personnel will form part of a Covid Support Force.

But defence expert Elizabeth Braw warned today that deploying the military to support public services was “risky.”

The Royal United Services Institute senior researcher said the tasks which troops would be expected to carry out were “not their speciality” and “essentially a distraction.”

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was “fully engaged” with all levels of the government to work out how the military could provide a support role over the coming weeks and months.

Soldiers in Iraq will be called back to Britain for 60 days to assist with the pandemic.

The Bank of England cut interest rates to their lowest level in history yesterday in an emergency move to support Britain’s economy amid the pandemic.

It is the second cut in interest rates in just over a week, bringing them down to 0.1 per cent from 0.25 per cent.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that £2.9 billion of its emergency Covid-19 fund would be used to help strengthen care for the vulnerable and free up around 15,000 hospital beds.

 

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