SNP Government accused of "power grab" over plans to make covid powers permanent

The Scottish Government has published a Bill which would make some of its emergency coronavirus powers permanent. The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill would give ministers the powers to respond to public health emergencies in a similar way to legislation passed in response to Covid -19.

This includes powers to impose lockdown restrictions, allow court hearings to take place remotely and restrict access to schools.

Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie also said the Bill is a “power-grab”. She said: “These emergency powers were a necessary response to an unprecedented crisis – not a free pass for ministers to hoard new powers.A consultation took place last year and MSPs will now scrutinise and debate the Bill.The legislation also makes changes to eviction proceedings in the private rented sector.It means certain tribunal cases will no longer have to automatically grant an eviction.John Swinney said: “Scottish ministers have already removed many of the temporary measures that supported our response to the pandemic, which are no longer needed.“However, we believe those pragmatic reforms that have delivered demonstrable benefit to the people of Scotland should continue.“Whilst it has been incredibly disruptive, the urgency of the pandemic has driven the pace of digital adoption, and in some cases more efficient ways of working, and better service to the public.“I am grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to our consultation, which has been considered very carefully in the drafting of this Bill, to embed these beneficial reforms in Scotland’s public services, along with the temporary extension of some justice measures to assist the courts with clearing the backlog of cases arising from the pandemic.“Our