Overview of the Act
- The Act includes a range of measures to help businesses adjust to new ways of working as the country recovers from disruption caused by Covid-19. The measures support the transition from immediate crisis response and lockdown into recovery and getting the economy moving again. The measures support businesses to implement safer ways of working to manage the ongoing risks from Covid-19, in particular the need for social distancing.
- The Act has the following main purposes:
- Facilitating Bounce Back Loans by disapplying unfair relationships provisions in the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for lending made under the Bounce Back Loans Scheme.
- Making it easier for premises in England serving food and drink such as bars, restaurants and pubs to seat and serve customers outdoors through temporary changes to highway licensing procedures and alcohol licensing. Alcohol licensing changes will allow operators to serve alcohol for consumption off the premises and will also apply in Wales.
- Making temporary changes to the law relating to planning in England, as well as new, permanent provision for certain planning proceedings in England to be considered by means of more than one procedure. This will ensure that the planning system can continue to operate effectively and support the planning and safe construction of new development following the impact of Covid-19.
- Making changes to HGV and PCV licensing in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and roadworthiness testing for heavy vehicles in Great Britain to prevent a backlog of checks and tests from disrupting services, whilst respecting safety considerations.
