Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Weddings Sector: Covid-19

Monday 15 June 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial efforts are focused on allowing small weddings with social distancing as soon as possible.
  • Guidance for reopening churches and other places of worship has been produced in collaboration with faith leaders.
  • Further steps towards broader reopening of places of worship are under consideration.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laura Farris Con Berkshire West
Business & Trade
Context

The question concerns the impact of COVID-19 on wedding venues and couples' plans for summer weddings.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the wedding sector during the covid-19 outbreak. Couples in my constituency are desperate to know if their weddings can go ahead this summer, especially as venues like Wasing Park face uncertainty.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There is significant effort across Government to allow people to hold small weddings with appropriate social distancing as soon as possible. Work is ongoing with faith leaders on this issue, but venues can use the job retention scheme, business rates holiday, and small business grants in the meantime.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Chris Green Con Blackburn
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The question pertains to the importance of reopening churches and other places of worship in signifying the country's return to normalcy.

Question

What plans he has to reopen places of worship as the covid-19 restrictions are eased. Reopening is crucial for spiritual welfare and symbolises moving forward.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Reopening churches and other places of worship is an important step in the right direction. People of faith have shown patience during lockdowns. The taskforce worked with faith leaders to produce guidance for reopening safely.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham
Community Security
Context

The question highlights confusion regarding guidance for church activities post-lockdown.

Question

What plans he has to reopen places of worship as the covid-19 restrictions are eased. Confusion exists among clergy about what activities are permissible, such as hosting barbecues versus communal prayers.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Guidance was published last week by the taskforce. Places can open for individual prayer and funerals; further steps towards broader reopening are being considered.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham West and Penshurst
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The question criticises unclear guidance for faiths that primarily practice communal prayer, such as Muslims and Jews.

Question

Why did the Government not provide clear and timely guidance to all places of worship, regardless of their method of prayer. Some faiths only practise communal prayer but received ambiguous guidelines.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Work has been ongoing with faith leaders to produce applicable guidance. Individual prayer is less relevant to some faiths like Muslims and Jews but seen as a step towards broader reopening.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email