Committee hears evidence on local government and policing during the pandemic
The Constitution Committee continues with its inquiry into the constitutional implications of COVID-19. On Wednesday 9 December the Committee holds its fifth evidence session on the emergency powers strand of this inquiry, looking into the use and scrutiny of emergency powers during the pandemic.
Meeting details
At 10:00am: Private discussion
Inquiry
Constitutional implications of COVID‑19
At 10:15am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Constitutional implications of COVID‑19
Chair at Local Government Association
Chair at West Yorkshire Combined Authority
At 11:15am: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Constitutional implications of COVID‑19
National Chair at Police Federation
Chair at Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
Possible questions for the first panel include:
- What have been the key challenges for local authorities responding to changing legal requirements during the pandemic?
- Have the emergency measures taken by the Government struck the right balance of power between national and local government?
- How have the legal changes introduced in response to the pandemic been communicated to local authorities? Have you had enough time to prepare for the changes coming into force?
Possible questions for the second panel include:
- What is your overarching assessment of how well policing the coronavirus restrictions has gone to date? What have been the key challenges for police enforcing the new measures introduced in response to the pandemic?
- Have the legal restrictions introduced during the pandemic been clear to members of the public and to the police? Has the distinction between legally enforceable requirements and non-mandatory government guidance been clear?
- What factors led to wrongful arrests and charges under the coronavirus legislation? What can the Government do to prevent this situation arising in future?