MSPs call for views on re-enacting COVID provisions

A call for views into the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill has been launched by several Scottish Parliament Committees as part of their stage 1 scrutiny of the bill.

The wide-ranging Scottish Government bill seeks to make permanent some of the temporary, emergency legislation introduced during the pandemic, and to extend other provisions which are due to expire by March 2022.

Areas covered include alcohol licensing, bankruptcy, justice (particularly time limits pre-trial), education (closing establishments and continuity of education), freedom of information, and vaccinations and immunisations.

Key proposals outlined in the bill include:

• maintaining provisions in the UK Coronavirus Act that enable Scottish ministers to enact measures via public health regulations for any future public health threats, in line with powers already in place in England & Wales;
• maintaining provisions that grant ministers power to restrict access to educational establishments on public health grounds;
• maintaining pre-eviction protocols relating to rent arrears in the private rented sector, placing more responsibility on landlords to ensure correct procedures are followed and that tenants are fully informed of their rights;
• allowing extended time-limits for criminal proceedings to remain in place, possibly until November 2025, to help Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service manage the backlog of cases arising from COVID-19; and allowing cases to continue to be heard through digital and physical means.

Four Holyrood committees will analyse the bill. The COVID-19 Recovery Committee is the lead committee; the Criminal Justice Committee will consider the justice policy measures; the Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee will consider the tenancy and eviction policy measures; and the Education, Children & Young People Committee will look into education related provisions.

Siobhian Brown MSP, convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee commented:

“The threat of COVID-19 meant a great number of temporary, emergency legislatives measure were introduced at speed, but with these measures due to expire in March 2022, the time is now to decide which of these in the bill should be put in place permanently.

“We recognise the size and scope of this bill mean a diverse range of people and organisations may wish to comment on it. That’s why respondents will have the option to complete a short survey, where they can give their views on a specific aspect of the bill, or a longer form. More detailed option is also available.

“The Scottish Government’s stated aim for the bill is to support Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic, but we want to make sure it does not go too far, and that any changes which are made permanent act to benefit the people of Scotland and ease pressure on the public services we all rely on.”

Click here to access the choice of surveys. The call for views closes on 25 February 2022.