Police set to get new powers to arrest and isolate people in coronavirus battle

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will table the Emergency Coronavirus Bill in the House of Commons today setting out measures aimed at slowing the spread and supporting the NHS and workers.

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Mr Hancock's emergency legislation will include plans to hand police powers to arrest and isolate people to protect public health but will be time-limited for two years.

Labour is not expected to force a vote on the legislation, allowing it to pass through Parliament swiftly with some MPs in self-isolation and concerns about others gathering in the House.

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But leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote a list of conditions to the PM which he said would need to be considered to gain public support.

He said the legislation must be renewed by a fresh vote in Parliament every six months in order to prevent too much power being handed to the Government.

The legislation will be presented as the Army prepares to help out in the crisis and Londoners face the prospect of greater restrictions, with the capital suffering a faster spread of Covid-19.

So far, 104 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK and tens of thousands of people are thought to be infected.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said measures taken so far were helping to slow the spread of the disease, but he has not ruled out tougher measures being enforced down the line.

The PM has also not ruled out stricter controls being imposed on London ahead of the rest of the nation, with fears of a lockdown being imposed like in other nations.

It has been announced that the number of troops in a heightened state of readiness will be doubled to 20,000 while Reserves are to be placed on standby to support public services in a new ‘Covid support force.

The Ministry of Defence is also planning to put 150 military personnel into training to drive oxygen tankers around the country to support the NHS.