The UK parliament was expected on Thursday to approve plans that would see lawmakers hold the government to account via a video link, as the country's legislative chamber returns from its Easter recess on Monday.

Proposals for the so-called "virtual parliament" will allow Members of Parliament to question government ministers on their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, while also observing social distancing measures.

However, the proposals only allow for limited parliamentary work to take place and are causing alarm among some that MPs will not be adequately capable of holding the government to account. Boris Johnson's Conservative government is facing serious criticism over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move also comes as trust between the main opposition Labour Party and the Conservatives is particularly low, following four years of bitter divisions over Brexit.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said that the "main aspect of the proposal will allow oral questions (including PMQs), urgent questions and statements to take place at the beginning of each sitting day by video link."

The proposals will allow MPs to grill ministers on the government's coronavirus response as the UK enters what most experts agree will be its peak of the crisis, but Parliament will still be far from operating as usual. While it will still be possible for votes (known in the UK as "divisions") to take place in the House of Commons  the means by which legislation receives Parliamentary approval these will still be restricted to members sat in the chamber itself.

In a letter to MPs, Hoyle said "I am aware of interest among colleagues in the possibility of using technology to allow Members to participate in divisions without being present on the Estate," adding that he had asked parliamentary staff "to undertake preparatory work as a matter of urgency on a system of remote voting in divisions of the House."

Source: CNN