Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
PM outlines raft of measures - the like of which not seen in peacetime
The Government this week outlined a raft of measures that are set to transform a generation witnessing one of the biggest national emergencies never before seen in peacetime Britain.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared during Tuesday’s daily coronavirus briefing to the nation: “We must act like any wartime government.” The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, said he was prepared to do whatever it takes to support the economy, which was the main purpose of that day’s conference.
“Yes this enemy can be deadly, but it is also beatable – and we know how to beat it and we know that if as a country we follow the scientific advice that is now being given we know that we will beat it. “However tough the months ahead we have the resolve and the resources to win the fight. “And, to repeat, this government will do whatever it takes.” Pouring £330bn in loans to protect businesses, Mr Sunak said it was an “unprecedented” set of financial measures to support the UK economy through the coronavirus pandemic. Other steps announced at Downing Street included mortgage repayment holidays and extended business rates relief. There was no mention of financial assistance for those paying rent, however. Under the government’s emergency measures, expected to be introduced to Parliament this week by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, police and immigration officers will be given the power to detain people against their will and place them in isolation to protect public health.
Other measures in the legislation include: Statutory sick pay for those self-isolating without symptoms from day one. Allowing small businesses to reclaim statutory sick pay payments from HMRC.
More phone or video hearings for court cases to stop the spread of the virus in courts. Enabling Border Force to temporarily suspend operations at airports or transport hubs if there are insufficient resources to maintain border security. Powers can be switched on and off as and when they are needed, based on the advice of the UK’S four chief medical officers. The Department of Health and Social Care says the measures in the coronavirus bill are “temporary, proportionate to the threat, will only be used when strictly necessary and will be in place for as long as required to respond to the situation”. They are intended to protect life and the nation’s public health and ensure NHS and social care staff are supported to deal with significant extra pressure on the health system, it adds.
It comes as Britain’s death toll reached 71 at the time of going to press, with the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, warning the virus may have already infected 55,000 people.
NHS England’s chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said new laws were necessary to protect public health, increase NHS capacity, strengthen social care and support the public to take the right action at the right time.
Sir Simon also announced rou
‘This enemy can be deadly, but it is also beatable - and we know how to beat it andweknowthatwe will beat it’