Overview

The Coronavirus (No. 2) Bill aims to address the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK. It temporarily modifies existing legislation and introduces new measures across various sectors, including public health, justice, immigration, data protection, social welfare, education, housing, and employment, all with the goal of mitigating the effects of the pandemic and protecting vulnerable groups.

Description

Public Health

The bill introduces restrictions on public health protection powers, requiring impact assessments before suspending port operations and providing a right to appeal fixed penalty notices.

Justice

It mandates impact assessments on remote court proceedings, analyzing their effectiveness and impact on various groups. The bill also includes provisions regarding prison populations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Immigration

The bill temporarily suspends various restrictions on access to services and support, immigration offences, and the 'No Recourse to Public Funds' policy. It also suspends removals and deportations and immigration detention, while ensuring the provision of adequate asylum accommodation and financial support. The bill provides for automatic continuation of leave to remain for certain individuals and clarifies the situation of those unable to comply with conditions of leave due to the pandemic.

Data Protection

The bill establishes duties for the Information Commissioner to advise Parliament on data protection measures and monitor contact tracing data processing. It also mandates decentralization of contact tracing and associated data, along with guidelines and reviews for the NHS Covid-19 App, NHS Test and Trace System, and NHS Covid-19 Data Store, including restrictions on data processing and disclosure.

Social Welfare

The bill imposes a duty to secure an adequate standard of living for individuals required to self-isolate, enabling benefits to be awarded to ensure safe self-isolation.

Education

Provision is made for financial assistance to parents/guardians of children entitled to free school meals during school closures and for the provision of meals to such children during school holidays. The bill also requires educational impact assessments before temporary school closures. A duty is imposed to secure all children’s right to inclusive education.

Housing

The bill provides for the allocation of housing accommodation and/or support to vulnerable individuals affected by coronavirus. It also includes provisions to protect tenants from eviction and to suspend certain police powers related to housing.

Employment

The bill makes provisions to financially support employees and workers required to self-isolate. It also removes the lower cap on Statutory Sick Pay and modifies the definition of ‘employee’ to broaden eligibility for SSP.

Elections

The bill modifies the parliamentary procedure for postponing elections and requires electoral human rights impact assessments before postponing elections.

Repeals

Several provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 are repealed.

Government Spending

The bill will likely increase UK government spending due to provisions for self-isolation support, social welfare benefits, housing assistance, and potentially other emergency measures. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Individuals with Coronavirus: May receive financial support for self-isolation.
• Landlords and Tenants: Temporary suspension of certain restrictions related to immigration status and renting.
• Asylum Seekers and Refugees: Provisions for accommodation and financial support.
• NHS Patients: Suspension of NHS charges for certain groups.
• Children: Provisions for free school meals and financial assistance during school closures.
• Homeless Individuals: Specific protections against restrictions.
• Employees and Workers: Financial support for self-isolation and changes to statutory sick pay eligibility.
• Prisoners: Potential for temporary release or suspension of sentences.
• Data Subjects: Increased protection of personal data in connection with coronavirus response.
• Electoral Bodies: Modified procedures for postponing elections.

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