Since the emergence of COVID-19, much Parliamentary business has been focused on this area and The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020*¹and The Coronavirus Act 2020*² represent “the most drastic restrictions on liberty ever seen in the United Kingdom“. By providing briefings on Parliamentary business, SOAS COP’s work will inevitably be focused on this extraordinary yet temporary legislation. We will endeavour to facilitate discussions about when and how these powers will be returned and relevant briefings will be collated below. 

Keeping faith during Covid-19

A Lack of Parliamentary Oversight in a Time of Coronavirus

Workplace Deaths Related to Coronavirus

Civil Liberties and Surveillance in a Time of Coronavirus

An Intersectional Approach during Covid-19, Disaggregating data to protect BAME

Policing in a Time of Coronavirus

Price Hikes and Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus Bill

The views expressed in SOAS COP Briefings are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of SOAS.

*¹ The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 which relate to “the lockdown” state that “The Secretary of State must review the need for restrictions and requirements imposed by these Regulations at least once every 21 days, with the first review being carried out by 16th April 2020”

*² The Coronavirus Act was passed on 25th March 2020 and represents an unprecedented loss of liberty for citizens of the UK. The Act states that Parliament must ensure that the provisions cease beyond 25th Sept 2020, unless they pass the motion written into the act “That the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should not yet expire”. This motion must be passed every six months thereafter for the provisions to continue