Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This subtopic contains archived materials, commentary and analysis on the public law implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, together with links to related guidance and policy documents.

Coronavirus legislation

Legislation was key to the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, ensuring that actions were taken on a clear and secure legal basis. Central to the legislative response was the passage of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (CA 2020), which received Royal Assent on 25 March 2020. This emergency legislation was fast-tracked to provide the government, devolved administrations and authorities in the UK with extensive powers to respond to the pandemic. For background reading, see: Coronavirus (COVID-19)—emergency legislation receives Royal Assent, LNB News 26/03/2020 4 and Coronavirus Act 2020, LNB News 26/03/2020 3.

While passing CA 2020, Parliament also passed the Contingencies Fund Act 2020, increasing the capital limit of the Contingencies Fund to allow for additional expenditure on account. This was done to enable departments to access cashflow required to fund measures introduced as part of the coronavirus response. For details, see: Contingencies Fund Act 2020, LNB News 26/03/2020 2.

The

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Latest Public Law News

Witness statements published and Parliamentary and ISC inquiries in China espionage case

The government has published three witness statements submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to the prosecution under the Official Secrets Act 1911 of Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, which was dropped earlier this year. Four Parliamentary committee chairs have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) further questions about the case, which will be pursued in an inquiry by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS). The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC) will also investigate the use of classified material relating to the case.

Cabinet Office publishes Anti-slavery Risk Tiering Tool guidance

The Cabinet Office has published guidance on the Anti-slavery Risk Tiering Tool (ARTT). The tool replaces the Home Office Modern Slavery Risk Assessment Tool and has been developed by a cross-departmental team including representatives from UK Parliament, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Department for Transport and Integrated Corporate Services. The ARTT is aligned with Procurement Policy Note 009 on tackling modern slavery in government supply chains and incorporates requirements introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. The tool rates procurement contracts as high, medium or low risk based on responses to six risk-characteristic questions covering factors including industry, commodity and supply chain geography. It incorporates Global Slavery Index 2023 data and the US Department of Labor List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor 2024. The tool includes automated risk-rating functionality and provides guidance on due diligence questions, country risk data and recommended next steps for compliance with modern slavery requirements in government procurement.

House of Lords committee reports UK-Australia submarine partnership agreement

The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has reported the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the UK and Australia for information. The Agreement, laid before Parliament on 1 September 2025 with scrutiny ending 30 October 2025, establishes a bilateral framework for cooperation to design, build and deliver the conventionally-armed nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS submarine fleet for Australia as part of AUKUS Pillar One. The Agreement will remain in force until 31 December 2075 with reviews every ten years, and amendments will be subject to Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 scrutiny. The Committee noted the Agreement creates contingent liabilities estimated at £3-25m relating to reciprocal indemnities between the parties. The framework covers cooperation in production, operation, sustainment and disposal of SSN-AUKUS vessels, including developing necessary personnel, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems.

SLSC publishes 37th report of session 2024–26

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) has published its 37th report of session 2024–26. Two instruments were drawn to the special attention of the House: the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 1298) and the Advertising (Less Healthy Food and Drink) (Brand Advertising Exemption) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/1011. The Immigration Statement, laid on 4 September 2025, introduced a suspension on visa applications under the refugee family reunion route, which previously allowed individuals granted refugee status in the UK to apply to bring their partner and dependent children without conditions. The SLSC expressed concerns about the Home Office's policymaking process, highlighting the lack of impact estimates and uncertainty over whether the suspension is temporary or permanent. SI 2025/1011, laid on 10 September 2025, introduces an explicit exemption from restrictions on advertising less healthy food and drink products for brand advertising, intended to provide clarity to the Advertising Standards Authority ahead of the restrictions taking effect on 5 January 2026.