Thank you for contacting me about the renewal of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
On this occasion, my reading of the data, local and national, leads me to the view that renewal of the Coronavirus Act at this time is a grim but unavoidable necessity. I have been assured that the measures in the Coronavirus Act are temporary, proportionate to the threat we face and will only be used when strictly necessary and will only be in place for as long as required to respond to the situation. It is also the Government's clear view that the Act helps make possible the speedy responses needed in a constantly changing crisis.
These considerations will underpin my response to any proposed amendments such as that put down in the name of Sir Graham Brady (assuming the Speaker does not rule them out of scope).
I am glad that the Act is subject to regular review by Parliament. The position I take at the next review will depend on how the situation has evolved at that point.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
September 2020