⁍ British health minister Matt Hancock offered lawmakers more say over the introduction of any new coronavirus restrictions.

---

⁍ Just hours earlier parliamentary speaker accused the government of a ‘total disregard’ for parliament when bringing in new measures.

---

⁍ A defeat in parliament would have dented Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s authority at a time when he is already under fire over his response to the growing pandemic.

---

– The UK’s health minister has bowed to pressure and agreed to give parliament more say in dealing with the deadly coronavirus, Reuters reports. Health Minister Matt Hancock had faced a rebellion from within his own party over the government’s response to the virus, which has killed 19 people in the UK and infected hundreds more. But after the parliamentary speaker accused the government of showing a “total disregard” for parliament, Hancock said that ” Wherever possible we will hold votes before such regulations come into force.” He added that “the government must act at speed when required” and “we cannot hold up urgent regulations which are needed to control the virus and save lives.” The move came after the speaker warned that the government had shown a “total disregard” for parliament. “The way in which the government has exercised its powers to make secondary legislation during this crisis has been totally unsatisfactory,” she said. “The government must make greater efforts to prepare measures more quickly, so that this House can debate and decide upon the most significant measures at the earliest possible point.”