The Shadow Home Secretary has today challenged the Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock, in the House of Commons chamber during a debate on the extension of the Coronavirus Act 2020. This fast-tracked legislation, enacted on 25 March, and renewed today, gives public bodies across the UK the tools and powers they need to implement an effective response to the coronavirus emergency. Its aim is to protect life, and the public health of the nation, by limiting the spread of the virus while also reducing pressures on key services.

In the chamber, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP acknowledged the sacrifices these restrictions have required the British people to make, and called on the Government to repay this through adequate, targeted economic support that protects businesses and workers’ jobs. Moreover, Mr Thomas-Symonds MP raised the point that the need for further restrictions was never an inevitability, but that the Government’s failure to implement an effective test, track and trace system has made them necessary.

He said:

“This dire situation was not inevitable. It is the result of a chronic failure of Government. Today we must take stock of where we are and the urgent need for the Government to get a grip.”

The Shadow Home Secretary’s full remarks can be read here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-09-30/debates/AAB1B147-2F78-4F41-ADE6-F1E50B3F3ECB/CoronavirusAct2020(ReviewOfTemporaryProvisions). A short clip can be seen below.