Emergency laws to be brought in to protect renters during coronavirus pandemic

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Yesterday, the Chancellor unfortunately offered nothing to the 20 million people living in rented homes, including 3 million households with children. They're worried, they're worried sick that they can't pay their rent if they get ill, lose pay or feel they need to self-isolate.

"It is in the interests of public health, of the health of all of us, that people don't feel forced to go to work in order to avoid eviction when they know themselves they may be spreading this terrible disease. So will the Prime Minister now confirm that the Government's emergency legislation will protect private renters from eviction?"

Mr Johnson responded: "I can indeed confirm that we will be bringing forward legislation to protect private renters from eviction, that is one thing we will do, but it is also important as we legislate that we do not simply pass on the problem so we'll also be taking steps to protect other actors in the economy."

As of 9am on 18 March 2020, 56,221 people have been tested in the UK, of which 53,595 were confirmed negative and 2,626 were confirmed positive.

The latest confirmed number of deaths will be announced later today.

The prime minister will update the public on the latest situation regarding coronavirus in his daily press conference at around 5pm.