Coronavirus: Changes to practice and procedure in the UK and other parliaments

Parliaments around the world are changing their practices and procedures in response to coronavirus. This Briefing Paper illustrates changes that have been made in the House of Commons and a small selection of other parliaments.

It records, for example, distancing in the French National Assembly and the Australian House of Representatives; the introduction of virtual proceedings in some Chambers; changes to the conduct of divisions in Denmark; and new ways of working for committees in a number of parliaments.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is reporting on the impact of social distancing measures on parliaments and on how parliaments are debating, passing legislation and scrutinising governments whilst coronavirus affects the world, see “Parliaments in a time of pandemic”.