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The British are being fined for violating coronavirus lockdown regulations that are “unclear and ambiguous,” a parliamentary committee warned.
The Joint Human Rights Committee said it was “unacceptable” that “many thousands” were receiving Fixed Penalty Notifications (FPN) despite evidence that the police did not fully understand their powers.
He added that the way the police were enforcing the regulations was having a “disproportionate impact” on young men of black, Asian and minority ethnic origin (BAME).
Currently, there is no realistic way for people to challenge the FPN, which could result in fines in excess of £ 10,000 In England.
“This will invariably lead to injustice, as members of the public who have been unjustly attacked with an FPN have no means of redress and the police will know that their actions are unlikely to be scrutinized,” the committee said.
Many of the regulations were “confusingly named,” the committee warned, making it difficult for people to establish what they can and cannot do.
The committee recommended that the government ask for more clarity on the rules and “distinguish between advice, guidance and the law”, as the regulations change on average once a week.
“In particular, more needs to be done so that the updated regulations themselves (not just the guide) are clearly accessible online, particularly as the law has changed, on average, once a week,” the committee said.
“It should be easy for a member of the public to find out what the current criminal law is, nationally and in their local area, without having to track down multiple sets of regulations with confusing names.”
Committee Chair Harriet Harman said: “Confusion about what is law and what is simply guidance has left citizens exposed to disproportionate and unequal levels of punishment for breaking the rules and, unfortunately, it seems that once more, this is openly affecting the people of BAME.
“The government must learn from these mistakes to ensure that any additional blockade does not unfairly affect specific groups.”
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In an interview with Sky News, Ms Harman said that “there must be an opportunity to appeal or review in the way that you would for a parking ticket.”
“Obviously the government is announcing these fines because they want to put all the government weight behind ensuring that these restrictive measures work. That is the only objective of it, ”he said.
He added that the government considers it “necessary to convey the message that everyone must comply with the rules.”
It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that the UK faces ‘tipping point’ where “more restrictive measures” could be introduced to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday he was “concerned” that too many people are violating the self-isolation guide. which led the government to make it illegal in England.
Hancock said people should inform their neighbors for breaking an emergency COVID-19 laws.
When asked if he would, the cabinet minister said, “Yes, and everyone should … Everyone has a role to play in this.”
A government spokesman said they had worked closely with police during the pandemic and that officers had enforced regulations only as a last resort.
They added: “Both Houses (of Parliament) have the opportunity to examine and debate all the regulations, which must be approved by both Houses within 28 days for them to remain in force. In the same way, all the regulations of closing and no down vote has been taken. “
