Coronavirus research - House of Commons Library

Research series

Coronavirus restrictions

A collection of briefings on national and local coronavirus restrictions and regulations.
Covid-19 vaccination

Research from the Commons Library and POST on Covid-19 vaccines and the UK vaccination programme.

Employment rights and the workplace

Research covering employment rights and the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus: Returning to work

This paper provides an overview of the rules surrounding COVID-19 and returning to work. It discusses the lockdown legislation, employer's health and safety obligations and when workers can refuse to go to work.
Coronavirus: Impact on the labour market

This paper tracks the evolving impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the labour market.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: statistics

This paper provides statistics and analysis of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
- Diseases
- Work and incomes

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Health and social care

Research and analysis about health and social care during the coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus: health and social care key issues and sources

This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of key issues facing the NHS and social care services during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, and links to official UK and international guidance and data. It also lists other reliable sources of information in the health and social care sector, including comment from organisations representing patients, staff and service providers. This briefing paper was last updated on 13 July 2020.
Coronavirus: Covid-19 vaccine roll-out frequently asked questions

This Commons Library briefing addresses commonly asked questions about the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Mass asymptomatic Covid-19 testing: Strategy and accuracy

This briefing provides an overview of mass asymptomatic Covid-19 testing in England and links to other Commons Library and POST resources on the topic.

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Welfare and support schemes

Research exploring the measures introduced to support households and individuals throughout the pandemic

Coronavirus: Withdrawing crisis social security measures

This Commons Library Briefing Paper outlines the social security changes made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and other Government departments, in response to the coronavirus crisis, as well as expectations for their withdrawal and plans for the economic recovery.
Coronavirus: Support for landlords and tenants

This briefing paper explains measures taken by the Government during the coronavirus outbreak to assist households in the rented sector to retain their homes. The paper covers the introduction of extended notice periods and restrictions on the enforcement of court orders. The ban on enforcing eviction orders in England ends on 31 May 2021. There are widespread calls for more assistance for landlords and tenants in response to the economic pressures they are facing.
Coronavirus: Self-isolation and Test and Trace Support Payments

This Library Briefing answers frequently asked questions about self-isolation and Test and Trace Support Payments for low-income workers.

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Economy and business

Economic updates and research around schemes to support businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus business support schemes: Statistics

This paper collates data on the number of applications and total support provided under the UK Government coronavirus business support schemes. The attached excel spreadsheet allows users to view data by Parliamentary constituency and local authority.
Coronavirus: Business interruption insurance

An overview of how business interruption insurance policies have been interpreted in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Business
- Consumers
- Diseases
- Finance
Coronavirus: Business loans schemes

An overview of the development and rollout of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme, the Coronavirus Larger Business Interruption Loans Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans Scheme, including refinements and challenges, as well as the subsequent Recovery Loans Scheme.

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Home affairs

Analysis and research on how emergency powers may affect areas such as policing, prisons, funerals and access to domestic abuse services during the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus: the lockdown laws

This Library briefing paper explains the types of coronavirus restrictions and requirements imposed by the UK's lockdown laws.
- Crime
- Diseases
- Institutions
- Police
Coronavirus: enforcing restrictions

This Library briefing paper discusses the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions regulations in England and Wales. It explains who has powers to enforce the restrictions and what those powers are. It also summarises statistics on the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs- fines) issued by police for coronavirus offences.
Coronavirus: A history of English lockdown laws

This Library briefing paper provides a history of England's coronavirus "lockdown laws"

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Education, childcare and families

Research exploring the impact on childcare and education as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus and schools

This briefing paper looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools and pupils. It largely focuses on England, and has been updated following the wider reopening of schools in England from 8 March 2021.
- Diseases
- Schools
Coronavirus: GCSEs, A Levels and equivalents in 2021

This briefing looks at the cancellation of public exams and the replacement systems for awarding grades in Summer 2021, in light of the pandemic. It also provides information on plans for summer 2022, and some historical information on what happened in summer 2020.
Coronavirus: HE/FE return to campus in England 2021

This briefing paper discusses Covid-19 announcements affecting the Further and Higher Education sectors in England from January 2021. It outlines areas such as the return of students to campuses and refunds for students affected by the disruptions.

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Parliament, government and elections

Research and analysis explaining parliamentary consent, the Coronavirus Bill, and how the pandemic may impact elections

Renewing parts of the Coronavirus Act, new public health regulations and parliamentary proceedings

There will be a debate in the Commons Chamber on 25 March on four motions on coronavirus legislation and parliamentary proceedings during the pandemic.
- Diseases
- Parliament
The coronavirus timeline: Measures taken by the House of Commons

The coronavirus timeline sets out the Commons’ response to the pandemic, including key ‘lock down’ dates and changes to the way parliamentarians worked. It includes links to the relevant debates in Hansard, Speaker’s Statements, Procedure Committee reports, the ‘Members’ Guide to hybrid proceedings’ and correspondence on proceedings during the pandemic.
- Diseases
- House of Commons
Coronavirus: Parliamentary consent for the lockdown in England

This insight explains why MPs are now considering a motion to approve the legislation that underpins the current lockdown in England.
- Diseases
- Parliament

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Around the world

Analysis on the response to the coronavirus from across the world

Coronavirus in developing countries: Mapping national policy responses

This Insight maps the main trends in coronavirus policy to date among developing countries.
- Diseases
- International development
Coronavirus: Access to vaccines in developing countries

The challenge to secure enough vaccines for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
Covax and global access to Covid-19 vaccines

The purchasing and administration of Covid-19 vaccines has been dominated by richer economies. In April 2020, the Covax initiative was established to ensure fair access to vaccines. This paper sets out how Covax works, the challenges it faces, and the contributions of the UK and other high-income economies to the global distribution of vaccines.