Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support his Department is providing to legal aid firms affected by financial losses following court backlogs during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government introduced several measures to support legal aid firms. These included introducing hardship measures, specifically reducing the threshold for work done in Crown Court cases from £5000 to £450; halting the pursuit of debts to the Legal Aid Agency; and encouraging firms to access financial support via the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
The Legal Aid Agency has already made some changes permanent which originated during the COVID-19 outbreak and continues to keep under review others which are still in place.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many legal aid claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been submitted; what is the total amount claimed; and which law firms are making the claims.
Answered by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what funds he is allocating for legal aid to people who have lost their income as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Legal aid plays an important role in supporting access to justice; that is why we spent £1.7bn on civil and criminal legal aid in 2019-20. Individual decisions about legal aid funding are taken by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), which is responsible for administering the legal aid scheme and takes funding decisions independently of the Ministry of Justice.
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of challenges for the provision of legal aid. The Government is committed to maintaining access to justice during this time. For civil legal aid, individuals who have lost their income (or suffered a reduction in their income) who apply for funding will be assessed on their current circumstances.
Individuals who are claiming Universal Credit or some other means-tested benefits will be deemed to qualify automatically within the income threshold; and will qualify for non-contributory legal aid (subject to passing any capital and merits test). As there is not a capital assessment for criminal legal aid, if an applicant’s income is within the income threshold they will qualify for non-contributory legal aid.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to support legal aid firms during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of challenges for the legal profession. We have been working closely with legal aid providers across the justice system throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, monitoring any impact and understanding their concerns.
A range of measures have been introduced to support providers during the pandemic while maintaining access to justice for the most vulnerable in society. These include:
HM Treasury have introduced and recently extended a range of measures to support individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme, Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounce Back Loan, to provide some financial stability. We encourage the professions to continue to take advantage of this support where appropriate.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation, working with providers to keep these measures under review.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide extra support to legal aid practitioners to address additional (1) pressures from remote working, (2) demands from vulnerable clients, and (3) workload from domestic violence cases, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of challenges for the legal profession. We have been working closely with legal aid providers across the justice system throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, monitoring any impact and understanding their concerns.
In April the Legal Aid Agency published operational guidance, including guidance on working remotely and working with clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A range of measures have been introduced to support providers during the pandemic while maintaining access to justice for the most vulnerable in society. These include:
HMT have introduced and recently extended a range of measures to support individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme, Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounce Back Loan, to provide some financial stability. We encourage the professions to continue to take advantage of this support where appropriate.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation, working with providers to keep these measures under review.
Asked by: Graham Brady (Conservative - Altrincham and Sale West)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what covid-19 related provisions the Government has put in place since 1 March 2020; under what statutory powers each provision was put in place; on what date each provision was (a) announced and (b) laid before Parliament; and on what date each provision (i) came into force and (ii) was approved by Parliament.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
Since 1 March 2020, and as of Monday 20 July, the Government has laid 127 statutory instruments in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This has enabled the Government to swiftly put in place the legislation needed and we will continue to bring forward further SIs for Parliament to consider, as required. The table below provides a list of each SI, outlining the powers it was made under; the date it was laid before Parliament; the date the SI came into force; and, where applicable, the date it was approved by Parliament.
The Government continues to make every effort to ensure that announcements are made in good time ahead of the legislation being brought forward, while balancing the need for urgent action to deal with the pandemic.
Table of Statutory Instruments laid since 1 March 2020
Department | Title | Power it is made under | Procedure | Laying date | Coming into force date | Approved in Parliament |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 06/03/20 | 05/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance Amendment Regulations 2020 and their | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance Amendment (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 12/03/20 | 13/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) No.2 Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 16/03/20 | 17/03/20 | N/A |
HMT | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 | Negative | 20/03/20 | 23/03/20 | N/A |
Defra | Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Climate Change Act 2008 | Negative | 20/03/20 | 21/03/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 23/03/20 | 24/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 23/03/20 | 21/03/20 | The regulations were revoked before they could be approved. |
DfT | Street and Road Works (Amendments Relating to Electronic Communications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and The Traffic Management Act 2004 | Negative | 26/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The National Health Service (Amendments Relating to the Provision of Primary Care Services During a Pandemic etc.) Regulations 2020 | The National Health Service Act 2006 | Negative | 26/03/20 | 27/03/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 | The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 26/03/20 | 26/03/20 | 14/05/20 |
DWP | Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Revocation) Regulations 2020 | The Pensions Act 2004 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 31/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in England) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Groceries) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 26/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; the Jobseekers Act 1995; the Housing Act 1996; The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | NI Equivalent | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; the Jobseekers Act 1995; the Housing Act 1996; The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 30/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Suspension of Waiting Days and General Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | NI Equivalent | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (General Levy) (Revocation) Regulations 2020 | The Pension Schemes Act 1993 | Negative | 27 March | 31/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Solent Maritime Crossings) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Police Act 1997 | Negative | 27/03/20 | 28/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Investigatory Powers (Temporary Judicial Commissioners and Modification of Time Limits) Regulations 2020 | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 27 March | 27/03/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | The Energy Act 2008 | Negative | 30 March | 31/03/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Road Traffic Act 1988 | Negative | 30/03/20 | 31/03/20. | N/A |
DHSC | Nursing and Midwifery Council (Emergency Procedures) (Amendment) Rules 2020 Order of Council 2020 | The Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 | Negative | 30/03/20 | 31/03/20 | N/A |
HO | Coronavirus (Retention of Fingerprints and DNA Profiles in the Interests of National Security) Regulations 2020 | Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 01/04/20 | 02/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 | The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 | Negative | 02/04/20 | 04/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Amendment Regulations 2020 | The Housing Act 1996 and the Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 3 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Amendment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 | The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 | Negative | 3 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 6 April | 07/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 6 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Offender Management Act 2007 (Coronavirus) (Approved Premises) Regulations 2020 | The Offender Management Act 2007 | Negative | 6 April | 06/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 The Jobseekers Act 1995 The State Pension Credit Act 2002 The Welfare Reform Act 2007 The Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 Northern Ireland | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 The Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 The State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 The Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 7 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 | Negative | 7 April | 30/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Coronavirus) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 | The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 08/04/20 | 09/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The National Health Service (Performers List) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The National Health Service Act 2006 | Negative | 08/04/20 | 09/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Criminal Procedure (Amendment No. 2) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 | The Courts Act 2003 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 14/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Electronic Monitoring (Responsible Persons) Order 2020 | The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Employment Appeals (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | The Employment Tribunals Act 1996 | Negative | 09/04/20 | 10/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 15/04/20 | 16/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Land Registry Amendment 2020 | The Land Registration Act 2002 | Negative | 15/04/20 | 16/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Structural Changes) (Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020. | The Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 16 April | 08/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 | Negative | 17/04/20 | 17/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in Wales) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | The Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 20/04/20 | 21/04/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Coronavirus) (Amendments) 2020 | The European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 22/04/20 | 23/04/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 22/04/20 | 22/04/20 | 14/05/20 |
DfE | The Adoption and children (coronavirus) (amendment) Regulations 2020. | The Children Act 1989 The Care Standards Act 2000 The Adoption and Children Act 2002 The Children Act 2004 The Education and Inspections Act 2006 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Non-Domestic Rating (Transitional Protection Payments and Rates Retention) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Local Government Finance Act 1988 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 1(2)Subject to paragraph (3), these Regulations come into force on 15th May 2020. | N/A |
DfE | The School Admissions (Appeals Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020. | The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Early Years Foundation Stage (learning and development requirements) and (Welfare requirements) Miscellaneous provisions) (amendment) (coronavirus) Regulations 2020. | The Childcare Act 2006 | Negative | 23/04/20 | 24/04/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | The Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 24/04/20 | 25/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Normal Weekly Earnings etc.) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. | The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 24/04/20 | 25/04/20 | N/A |
DWP | The State Pension Credit (Coronavirus) (Electronic Claims) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Administration Act 1992 | Negative | 27/04/20 | 04/05/20 | N/A |
DHSC | National Health Service (Quality Accounts) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | The Health Act 2009 | Negative | 28/04/20 | 29/05/20 | N/A |
HO | The Misuse of Drugs (Amendments) (Pandemic supply) Regulations 2020 | The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 | Negative | 29/04/20 | 29/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Children and Families Act 2014 The Education Act 1996 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Education (School Teachers' Qualifications and Induction Arrangements) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Education Act 2002 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Criminal Legal Aid (Coronavirus, Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 | Negative | 30/04/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
Defra | The Common Agricultural Policy (Control and Enforcement, Cross-Compliance, Scrutiny of Transactions and Appeals) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. | The European Communities Act 1972 Article 78(b) of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 01/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Competition Act 1998 (Dairy Produce) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 | Competition Act 1998 | Negative | 01/05/20 | 01/05/20 | N/A |
HMT | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 | Negative | 01/05/20 | 04/05/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 13/05/20 | 13/05/20 | 15/06/20 |
MHCLG | The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Coronavirus)(Amendment) Order 2020 | European Communities Act 1972 | Negative | 13/05/20 | 14/05/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Individual Savings Account (Amendment No 3) Regulations 2020 | Finance Act 1993; Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005; Finance Act 2016 | Negative | 14/05/20 | 04/06/20 | N/A |
Defra | The Direct Payments (Application Deadlines) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 | Article 78(b)(1) of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 14/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2020 | Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 14/05/20 | 15/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Funding of Employers' Liabilities) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 15/05/20 | 26/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Funding of Employers' Liabilities) Northern Ireland Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 | Negative | 15/05/20 | 26/05/20 | N/A |
MoJ | The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 | Negative | 18/05/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Self-employed Claimants and Reclaims) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Social Security Administration Act 1992; Welfare Reform Act 2012 | Negative | 20/05/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Self-employed Claimants and Reclaims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 | Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 | Negative | 20/05/20 | 21/05/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Electricity Capacity (Amendment etc.) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Draft affirmative | 20/05/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
HMRC | The Income Tax (Exemption for Coronavirus Related Home Office Expenses) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Negative | 21/05/20 | 11/06/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Social Security Contributions (Disregarded Payments) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 21/05/20 | 11/06/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 | Tax Credits Act 2002 | Negative | 22/05/20 | 23/05/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Traffic Order Procedure (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 | Negative | 22/05/20 | 23/05/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 | Negative | 27/05/20 | 28/05/20 | N/A |
DfE | Independent Schools (DBS Checks) (Coronavirus) SI | Education and Skills Act 2008 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 18/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 1996 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 01/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The School Discipline (England) (Coronavirus) (Pupil Exclusions and Reviews) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 2002 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 01/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Schools Forums (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | School Standards and Framework Act 1998 | Negative | 28/05/20 | 18/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 01/06/20 | 01/06/20 | 25/06/20 |
AG | Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Specified Proceedings) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 | Negative | 02/06/20 | 02/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 01/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Passengers Travelling to England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DfT | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Advice for Passengers) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 03/06/20 | 08/06/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Higher Education (Fee Limits and Student Support) (England) (Coronavirus) SI | Higher Education and Research Act 2017; Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 | Draft affirmative | 04/06/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
BEIS | Contracts for Difference (Electricity Supplier Obligations) | Energy Act 2013 | Draft affirmative | 04/06/20 | N/A | 02/07/20 |
Defra | Direct Payments to Farmers (Inspections) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2020 | Article 62(2)(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council | Negative | 09/06/20 | 30/06/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 12/06/20 | 13/06/20 | The regulations were revoked before they could be approved. |
DfT/DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings on Public Transport) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 592) | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 15/06/21 | 15/06/20 | 08/07/20 |
DfE | The Education (Pupil Information) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Education Act 1996 | Negative | 18/06/20 | 09/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Business Tenancies (Restriction on Forfeiture: Relevant Period) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2020 | Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 19/06/20 | 29/06/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (No.2) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 | Negative | 19/06/20 | 24/06/20 | N/A |
MoJ | Competition Appeals Tribunal | Crime and Courts Act 2013 | Draft affirmative | 22/06/20 | N/A | 15/07/20 |
BEIS | Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2020 | Enterprise Act 2002 | Made affirmative | 22/06/20 | 23/06/20 | 15/07/20 |
HMRC | The Life Assurance Scheme (English and Welsh Schemes) (Excluded Benefits for Tax Purposes) Regulations 2020 | Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 | Negative | 22/06/20 | 13/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | The Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development and Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 | Town and Country Planning Act 1990 | Negative | 24/06/20 | 25/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 | Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 | Negative | 26/06/20 | 26/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 Negative Procedure | Companies Act 2006; Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 | Negative | 26/06/20 | 27/06/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Patents, Trade Marks and Registered Designs (Fees) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 | Trade Marks Act 1994; Registered Designs Act 1949 | Negative | 29/06/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
DfT | Electric Scooter (Trials) Regulations - (working title) | Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994; Road Traffic Act 1988; Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 | Negative | 30/06/20 | 04/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | The Childcare Payments (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 | Childcare Payments Act 2014 | Negative | 30/06/20 | 21/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Community Infrastructure Levy (Coronavirus) (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2020 | The Planning Act 2008 | Draft affirmative | 30/06/2020 | N/A | 14/07/20 |
MOJ | The Secure Training Centre (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 | Prison Act 1952 | Negative | 01/07/2020 | 02/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020 | Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994; Coronavirus Act 2020; Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 | Negative | 03/07/20 | 06/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No.2) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 | Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992; Coronavirus Act 2020 | Negative | 03/07/20 | 06/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) Regulations 2020 | 06/07/20 | Made affirmative | 03/07/20 | 04/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 03/07/20 | 04/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Public Health Information) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 06/07/20 | 07/07/20 | N/A |
DWP | Pension Protection Fund (Moratorium and Arrangements and Reconstructions for Companies in Financial Difficulty) Regulations 2020 | The Insolvency Act 1986; The Companies Act 2006; Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 | Made affirmative | 06/07/20 | 07/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DCMS | Charitable Incorporated Organisations Moratorium Regulations 2020 | Charities Act 2011 | Made affirmative | 08/07/20 | 06/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
HMRC | The Value Added Tax (Zero Rate for Personal Protective Equipment) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 | Value Added Tax Act 1994 | Negative | 09/07/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Finance Act 2019 | Negative | 09/07/20 | 30/07/20 | N/A |
DfE | The Childcare (Coronavirus) (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Childcare Act 2016 | Negative | 10/07/20 | 31/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 10/07/20 | 11/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Negative | 10/07/20 | 11/07/20 | N/A |
HMRC | Value Added Tax (Reduced Rate) (Hospitality and Tourism) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 | the Value Added Tax Act 1994 | Negative | 14/07/20 | 15/07/20 | N/A |
MHCLG | Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 | Negative | 15/07/20 | 16/07/20 | N/A |
BEIS | Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 | Negative | 15/07/20 | 16/07/20 | N/A |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 17/07/20 | 18/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
DHSC | Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Leicester) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 | the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 | Made affirmative | 20/07/20 | 18/07/20 | Still going through parliamentary process |
Asked by: Baroness Whitaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the risk of the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a significant loss of income for legal aid firms, what assessment they have made of the impact of the Legal Aid Agency’s practice of (1) permitting only two claims a year for ongoing cases, and (2) only paying 75 per cent of such claims.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
The Ministry of Justice recently held a consultation on increasing the limits associated with claims for payment on account. This consultation closed on 16 June 2020.
Following this, the limit will be increased, allowing four such requests to be made in a twelve month period. This will be implemented once the necessary updates to infrastructure are completed, and the impact of this change will be kept under review.
Asked by: Baroness Whitaker (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on legal aid firms of (1) the stay on possession proceedings for tenants until the end of August, and (2) any subsequent substantial loss of income; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such firms are paid for their work in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Procurement Policy Note 02/20: Supplier relief due to COVID-19, published on 20 March.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
MoJ is continuing to work closely with the Legal Aid Agency and HMCTS to assess the impact of Covid-19 on legal aid provision, and to support practitioners to work remotely when possible.
The Government have taken measures to support the sector include paying for virtual hearings in the same way as in-person hearings, halting pursuit of outstanding debts, relaxing some evidence requirements, and encouraging legal practitioners to use existing avenues of financial help, such as the ability to apply for early payment for work already done on a case. These measures will help Legal Aid providers adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
PN 02/20, which has been updated in PPN 04/20, requires contracting authorities to determine whether a supplier is ‘at risk’. In making that determination, an authority will need to consider what steps have been taken by a public-sector provider to access other available support, because providers have no automatic entitlement to relief payments under the PPN and should not use them to supplement or duplicate the wider support measures that have been made available to UK businesses.
Data on legal aid expenditure on areas such as housing possession is released quarterly by the Legal Aid Agency, with the next release scheduled for September.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support barristers' chambers doing publicly funded work.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie
We recognise the vital public service provided by legal aid practitioners and the essential work barristers do in helping to ensure we maintain access to justice for those who need it.
We know that the Covid-19 outbreak has created a range of challenges for the legal aid profession. We are doing all we can to address these challenges and ensure that the justice system continues to operate effectively.
Key representative bodies have continued to engage with Ministers and senior officials throughout this challenging period, and officials have sought out the views of legal aid practitioners on the impact of the crisis on their businesses. This is not limited to criminal legal aid matters - we are also engaging with the profession on support for civil legal aid practitioners and third sector providers.
The Legal Aid Agency has taken steps designed to help support legal aid provision during this period including making money available in interim payments and halting debt collection.
For criminal practitioners we have provided greater access to hardship payments to allow practitioners to claim 1 month after they were first instructed instead of 6 months and to lower the threshold for work done on the case from £5,000 to £450.
In order to focus on the most pressing issues for practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic we agreed with provider representative bodies to temporarily pause our work on the Criminal Legal Aid Review in order to focus on short term sustainability issues. This led to us pausing the criminal legal aid review consultation on the accelerated areas which was due to close on the 27th March 2020.
The closing of the consultation and the Governments official published response is one of the first steps as we return our attention to the wider review which has a focus on long term sustainability of the criminal legal aid market.
Lastly, where possible we would also encourage practitioners to take up the available HM Treasury schemes; the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to provide a specific stock grant aid fund for commercial ornamental horticulture growers.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Coronavirus represents a very significant challenge, affecting daily life and every part of the economy, including the ornamental horticulture sector. A vibrant and successful ornamental horticulture sector brings significant benefits. The Government continues to work closely with representatives from the horticulture supply chain including the Horticultural Trades Association to understand the short-term and long-term impacts on the UK sector.
Defra has already been in close discussion with banks to ensure the ornamental horticulture sector has access to financial support. This will ease cashflow problems during this period, including through the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan scheme, which was announced on 27 April and is the latest step in a package of support measures announced by the Chancellor. The Government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee on each loan, to give lenders the confidence they need to support small businesses. These loans will be from £2,000 up to £50,000, capped at 25% of firms' turnover, and the Government will cover the first 12 months of interest payments and fees charged to the business by the lender. Almost all UK businesses will be eligible to apply for a loan under the scheme.
On 13 May, the Government announced that all garden centres in England which are able to adhere to social distancing measures were legally able to reopen. This measure has been widely welcomed by growers, garden centre owners, and consumers.
While the Government has made a wide-ranging package of measures available to ornamental horticulture businesses to support them through this difficult period, we continue to keep the situation under review. Legal powers were included in the Coronavirus Act 2020 enabling us to offer further financial support if we believe it is necessary.