UK breaks with past to approve virtual parliament plan

Plans for the House of Commons to sit remotely for the first time in its 700-year history in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were approved Thursday by parliamentary authorities.

The unprecedented move to use Zoom, an internet conferencing service, for sittings of the chamber will allow MPs to question ministers over policy while Britain remains in lockdown.

The government is expected to prolong its stringent social distancing regime in an announcement later on Thursday.

The new proposals for parliament will see 120 MPs at any one time able to ask questions from remote locations, with another 50 allowed to actually sit in the chamber under "strict social distancing rules".

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the move would allow MPs to continue "their important work scrutinising the government" during the pandemic, while not putting themselves at risk.

"By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives," he added.

MPs working remotely will be allowed to take part in the weekly Prime Minister's Questions, under the proposals.

The move to a "hybrid" house was approved by the House of Commons Commission - which contains 10 members including Hoyle and the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg.