This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
As the UK continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the British parliament returns on April 21, 2020, after an extended Easter break. The move comes amidst growing criticism of the government's handling of the crisis and increasing deaths outside hospitals.
Due to social distancing rules, only 50 MPs will be able to sit in the 650-seat House of Commons chamber at any given time. To accommodate the remaining MPs, screens will be placed around the chamber to allow those physically present to see their colleagues dialling in via Zoom, an internet video conferencing service.
Speaker of the Commons Lyndsay Hoyle has encouraged MPs to attend the lower chamber via video link for the first time, citing the need to 'find new ways of working' in times of crisis. Hoyle stated, 'My advice is please stay at home, let's do it remotely.'
The government has been under mounting pressure over its response to the crisis, with criticism focusing on a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare staff and the extent of testing for the virus. NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, has expressed concerns about a potential lack of equipment for frontline medical staff if the public are told to wear face masks.
However, the government has assured that it will prioritise NHS workers and has announced that a consignment of PPE being flown from Turkey will be in the UK within 'the next few days'. The British Dental Association has also reported 'critical shortages' of equipment among its members.
Meanwhile, weekly figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that the number of people dying in care homes is growing. The ONS reported an extra 3,833 deaths outside hospital between April 10 and 18.
