This week in the Commons: 16 March 2020
20 March 2020
This week in the House of Commons, MPs asked the Prime Minister questions about support for those affected by coronavirus and more at PMQs. There were also statements made about coronavirus, education and Windrush and one urgent question on employment support.
The debate on the Budget continued, resulting in the Budget Resolutions being passed without a division.
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 18 March, MPs asked about the effects of Coronavirus on the self-employed, NHS, vulnerable people and more.
Urgent Questions and Statements
There were five statements on:
- COVID-19 from Health Secretary Matt Hancock
- Update on corona virus from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab
- Economic update from Chancellor Rishi Sunak
- Educational settings update from Education Secretary Gavin Williamson
- Windrush Lessons Learned Review from Home Secretary Priti Patel
There was one urgent question:
Legislation
The 2020 Spring Budget Resolutions were passed with a division. The Speaker did not select an amendment from the Opposition.
The Coronavirus Bill was also presented to the House for its first reading.
Opposition Day debates
There were Opposition Day debates on statutory sick pay and protection for workers, and local government responsibilities: public services. These were led by the Labour Party.
UK Parliament access and Westminster Hall
With the nation currently facing extremely challenging circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19), steps have been taken to allow Parliament to continue to fulfil its important constitutional duties.
Parliament also announced that it would stop all non-essential visitor access to both Houses from Tuesday 17 March.
From Friday 20 March Westminster Hall debates were suspended.
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Image: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor