‘Tension’ over how Covid response empowered devolved governments
A SPOKESMAN for Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to deny reports he regrets the way coronavirus legislation was enacted to give significant powers to the devolved administrations.
The Welsh and Scottish Governments have been able to set their own rules throughout the pandemic, leading to major differences between the countries.
According to The Sun there was a row at the top of government last March about which legislation should be used to enable the emergency response to coronavirus.
The Prime Minister was reportedly urged by some ministers and aides not to use health laws to deal with the pandemic as that would allow Scotland and Wales – where health matters are devolved – to set their own path.
Instead they wanted Mr Johnson to rely on the doomsday 2004 Civil Contingencies Act.
Downing Street was said to be concerned that the Civil Contingencies powers would need to be approved by MPs every 30 days. Mr Johnson opted for the special Coronavirus Act 2020 instead that also gave the police massive powers, suspended elections and paved the way for the furlough scheme.
But using health legislation meant that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would have significant discretion to set their own rules as health is a devolved policy area.
A former aide who has now left government told The Sun: “At the time I think everyone just assumed there would be a joined-up response across the whole country and we didn’t really think at the time it would splinter. But obviously that turned out to be wrong and was pretty naive.”
“I have no doubt that it will be done differently next time. The PM knows that.”
Asked if Mr Johnson had any regrets, Mr Johnson’s spokesman told the Westminster lobby briefing: “As we have done throughout the pandemic we have worked closely with the devolved administrations as we move through different phases of the pandemic and as the PM said, we work best when we all work together.
“I would point to the vaccination programme and the fact we have been able to acquire a large number of vaccines and get them out across the UK which means we can tackle and reduce the cases of coronavirus in all four parts of the UK.”