Lords to hear evidence on governing and policing during the pandemic

The House of Lords Constitution Committee will tomorrow hear evidence from two panels of witnesses on the use of emergency powers during the pandemic, as part of its ongoing inquiry into the constitutional implications of Covid-19.

The first session will take place at 10.15am on Wednesday 9 December. Giving evidence will be:

• Councillor James Jamieson, Chair of the Local Government Association

• Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Questions the Committee is likely to ask include:

• 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?

• Has the distinction between legally enforceable requirements and non-mandatory government guidance been clear?

• Is there anything else the Government should be doing differently to engage with local authorities when rapid changes to the law are being made?

The second session will take place at 11.15am on Wednesday 9 December. Giving evidence will be:

• John Apter, National Chair, Police Federation

• Paddy Tipping, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners

Questions the Committee is likely to ask include:

• 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

• How are police officers on the front line advised of changes to coronavirus restrictions?

• What factors led to wrongful arrests and charges under the coronavirus legislation?