West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin will this week urge the Government to allow MPs to debate and vote on special measures being introduced as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

And the MP has agreed to back an amendment tabled by the chairman of the Conservative party’s 1922 committee for backbenchers, which ensures Parliament will scrutinise changes introduced by the Government in the Coronavirus Act.

The act gives the Government Ministers sweeping powers to act in the battle to protect public health during the global pandemic.

Harriett has offered her support for the measures implemented so far to protect the NHS, save lives and protect people’s jobs and livelihoods.

But the Coronavirus Act is due for a six month renewal this week and she has supported fellow MPs urging the Government to debate urgent measures in Parliament.

Harriett said: “Over the course of the last six months we have had to adapt to swiftly changing circumstances in every bit of our lives, but unlike at the beginning of the outbreak when Parliament could not operate in a socially distant way, we have now adapted and can vote and speak remotely.

“While I think the Government has struck the right balance this week on the restrictions and the economic package, it’s a point of principle with me that we should not allow the Executive to take away our constituents’ freedoms without a really thorough debate and vote.

“We don’t yet know if the amendment will go to a vote but I have offered my support to this measure to make sure that Parliament gets the chance to scrutinise and agree to steps which are having a wide-ranging impact on our lives and livelihoods.”