Domestic Politics
Starting Monday, Boris Johnson, or a senior minister, will conduct a daily televised press conference to update citizens on the measures the government is taking to fight against the coronavirus. This comes following criticism against Downing Street over a lack of transparency in its plan to contain the spread of the virus. [BBC]
Low-paid NHS hospital staff, responsible for cleaning, portering and catering, “stormed off the job” after a private contractor refused to clear their dues. The NHS managers signed a contract in November that resulted in 400 staff jobs becoming privatised. The private company admitted that issues in its payroll system caused discrepancies in payment. [Independent]
International Relations
US Vice President Mike Pence announced the expansion of the European travel ban to the UK and Ireland starting Monday. American citizens and their family members will be exempt from the rule. [CNN]
Health
Due to growing concerns over a shortage of life-saving equipment for patients with the coronavirus, Boris Johnson scheduled a meeting with engineering firms to recommend a shift in production lines to build NHS ventilators. [BBC]
Public Health England, an agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, reports that about 8 million people in the UK could be admitted to the hospital over the next 12 months. The report says that 80% of the population could be infected, with 15% requiring hospitalisation. [Independent]
Law
The UK plans to introduce emergency legislation to give the government exceptional powers, such as prohibiting mass gatherings and compensating organisations required to combat the coronavirus. The legislation comes following criticism against Johnson’s administration for failing to act in accordance with the gravity of the outbreak. [Al Jazeera]
In a letter to Boris Johnson, Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn recommended a payment holiday for rent and mortgage payments as part of the proposed emergency legislation. He also insisted on developing new sick day policies, suspending the requirements placed on job centres, and supporting food banks in distributing supplies. [Independent]
A former Supreme Court judge, Lord Sumption, recommended setting up an independent body of government ministers to advise the Queen on constitutional issues. He shunned the current practice, which forces the Queen to comply with the wishes of the Cabinet ministers. [Independent]
Image Source: Independent
