Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed attachment file name file name title title grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1248027

registered interest
date	02/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consulted the Places of Worship Taskforce before announcing the closure of places of worship as part of the national COVID-19 restrictions in England planned from 5 November; what assessment they have made of any issues resulting from churches’ COVID-19 safety measures; and what assessment they have made of whether places of worship are more likely to facilitate the spread of COVID-19 than schools and universities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL9811
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>The Places of Taskforce met on 2 November. In addition, roundtables have been held with the country’s major faith groups to discuss the guidance.</p><p>Discussions with our faith groups at these meetings, as they have been throughout the pandemic, have been extremely helpful. They have provided us with an opportunity to share information with our faith groups, as well as hearing of their concerns. We will continue to draw on the expertise of the Taskforce in the coming days.</p><p>I am very grateful to our faith communities for their efforts to ensure their places of worship are as Covid-secure as possible. However, the evidence from the scientific community, and from SAGE, points to an increasing rate of infection overall. We therefore need to reduce the level of interaction and the number of gatherings that take place, and with regret, places of worship are closed for communal prayer.</p><p>The regulations now in force will expire on 2 December, at which point we hope to be able to be able to ease restrictions.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 16/11/2020 15:00:20 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1248044

registered interest
date	02/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to amend the regulations underpinning the new national COVID-19 restrictions in England from 5 November to allow churches and other places of worship to remain open for both private prayer and limited services; and if not, why not.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL9846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2020 answer text <p>Regulations came into force on 5 November that places of worship in England must close for communal prayer. They are however permitted to open for individual prayer, and to record or stream to broadcast. In addition, funerals are also permitted and can be attended by a maximum of thirty people.</p><p>The regulations are in place until 2 December, at which point we hope to be able to ease restrictions.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 16/11/2020 15:18:28 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1200301

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow the reopening of churches in the UK following their closure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and what, if any, health measures will be put in place to facilitate the reopening of places of worship.
tabling member printed	Baroness Neville-Rolfe
uin	HL5228
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>On 11 May, the Government published the document “<a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F884760%2FOur_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ce3b69e289b5e4f98d03208d811f0b61d%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279072822599556&amp;sdata=hCBIgYiQo5xIr%2FaIVcJA9xnsmVwh7vMiCP8wJNBWygI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Our Plan to Rebuild</a>”, which outlined the steps it would be taking to ease the lockdown restrictions.</p><p>The Government continues to consider how to allow places of worship to reopen for additional uses in Step 3 of its roadmap, which is expected to be no earlier 4 July, subject to further scientific advice. As part of the steps to ease the restrictions, the Government launched a Places of Worship Taskforce to look at how they can reopen and operate safely. Meetings are being led by the Secretary of State for Communities, or the Faith Minister, and comprise of representatives from the country’s major faiths. The Taskforce is working towards the safe reopening of places of worship as soon as possible. It also addresses the specific issues that places of worship will face as they prepare to reopen safely.</p><p>As of Saturday 13 June, places of worship are now permitted to open for individual prayer, in line with social distancing guidelines. We have published (attached) <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic%23section4&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ce3b69e289b5e4f98d03208d811f0b61d%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279072822604522&amp;sdata=QXasmVSs3LCW5evDq0Se%2BsRCHYwzqeQehj0qZmVxvNQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">guidance</a> to support places of worship to do this in a way that is safe and in line with social distancing. Communal prayers, worship or devotion will not be possible at this stage. The Government will continue to work with the Taskforce towards the full reopening of places of worship as soon as the scientific advice allows.</p><p>Places of worship play an important role in spiritual and mental health for many, and in bringing our communities together, which is why we want them to reopen them as soon as we can. However, no place of worship will be able to reopen for further activities before a final decision by the Government and the accompanying changes to the legal position in the published regulations. Even after we permit places of worship to reopen for further activities, some may choose to reopen in stages or at a slower pace depending on their local circumstances.</p><p>The current list of permitted activities that can take place within a place of worship can be found (attached) on gov.uk <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Ffurther-businesses-and-premises-to-close%2Ffurther-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ce3b69e289b5e4f98d03208d811f0b61d%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279072822609514&amp;sdata=ZmAKHa1ClRK5T%2Bp%2Bpw2x%2F9vqlKXLN6s2TuwpAPMc0J4%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>, and the associated regulations can be found <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fuksi%2F2020%2F350%3Ftimeline%3Dfalse&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Ce3b69e289b5e4f98d03208d811f0b61d%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279072822614490&amp;sdata=mu4xbUufLt4r5y0LWvWx0BRPPt4C%2BkBKE5jCqhlyOYQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>. These documents will be updated as and when further changes come into effect.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200617 Our_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf title Our Plan to Rebuild 2 file name 200617 COVID-19_ guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic - GOV.UK.pdf title Guidance for the safe use of places of worship 3 file name 200617 Closing certain businesses and venues in England - GOV.UK.pdf title Closing certain business and venues in England question first answered 17/06/2020 14:59:12 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe

1200305

registered interest
date	03/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government when they plan to permit churches and other places of worship to reopen.
tabling member printed	Lord Storey
uin	HL5244
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>On 11 May, the Government published the document (attached) “<a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F884760%2FOur_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C7a3ca2e723df47dbd5da08d811f02dbd%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279070541070336&amp;sdata=QpsAP1aptLsTWE%2BiJ9sEaT9P1Bgb7ZTxoqYmn9H8%2BlA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Our Plan to Rebuild</a>”, which outlined the steps it would be taking to ease the lockdown restrictions.</p><p>The Government continues to consider how to allow places of worship to reopen for additional uses in Step 3 of its roadmap, which is expected to be no earlier 4 July, subject to further scientific advice. As part of the steps to ease the restrictions, the Government launched a Places of Worship Taskforce to look at how they can reopen and operate safely. Meetings are being led by the Secretary of State for Communities, or the Faith Minister, and comprise of representatives from the country’s major faiths. The Taskforce is working towards the safe reopening of places of worship as soon as possible. It also addresses the specific issues that places of worship will face as they prepare to reopen safely.</p><p>As of Saturday 13 June, places of worship are now permitted to open for individual prayer, in line with social distancing guidelines. We have published <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic%23section4&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C7a3ca2e723df47dbd5da08d811f02dbd%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279070541075319&amp;sdata=jwLe%2FhZFwnk1moon5kVXy%2Fvtx4zr%2BUXZLKEC%2BS6t6lw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">guidance</a> (attached) to support places of worship to do this in a way that is safe and in line with social distancing. Communal prayers, worship or devotion will not be possible at this stage. The Government will continue to work with the Taskforce towards the full reopening of places of worship as soon as the scientific advice allows.</p><p>Places of worship play an important role in spiritual and mental health for many, and in bringing our communities together, which is why we want them to reopen them as soon as we can. However, no place of worship will be able to reopen for further activities before a final decision by the Government and the accompanying changes to the legal position in the published regulations. Even after we permit places of worship to reopen for further activities, some may choose to reopen in stages or at a slower pace depending on their local circumstances.</p><p>The current list of permitted activities that can take place within a place of worship can be found (attached) on gov.uk <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Ffurther-businesses-and-premises-to-close%2Ffurther-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C7a3ca2e723df47dbd5da08d811f02dbd%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279070541080295&amp;sdata=%2B9fOCsb8PtPeR%2FqUBSgvMwSroxHbGKrPHEZWAkitQ18%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>, and the associated regulations can be found <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fuksi%2F2020%2F350%3Ftimeline%3Dfalse&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C7a3ca2e723df47dbd5da08d811f02dbd%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637279070541085269&amp;sdata=NglldsusjyBu9m4kJVYBc9qxoDtNbQP%2BjSKw5PSGoBY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>. These documents will be updated as and when further changes come into effect.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200617 Our_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf title Our Plan to Rebuild 2 file name 200617 COVID-19_ guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the pandemic - GOV.UK.pdf title Guidance for the safe use of places of worship 3 file name 200617 Closing certain businesses and venues in England - GOV.UK.pdf title Closing certain business and venues in England question first answered 17/06/2020 14:59:48 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4238 label Biography information for Lord Storey

1199435

registered interest
date	02/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with faith leaders about piloting the opening of places of worship in advance of step 3 of their plan to lift restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic being in place.
tabling member printed	Baroness Mone
uin	HL5044
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>Following publication on 11 May of “Our Plan to Rebuild”, which outlined the steps we would be taking to ease the lockdown restrictions, the Government launched a Places of Worship Taskforce to look at how places of worship can reopen and operate safely.</p><p>The Secretary of State and I have held a series of meetings with the Taskforce as well as holding faith-specific roundtables to hear the views of our faith leaders on how our places of worship can reopen. This is to ensure that those who visit and those who work there are protected as far as possible. The Government is working with the Taskforce as we develop guidance for our faith communities on the safe reopening of our places of worship. This will include guidance on individual prayer, and services and ceremonies such as weddings. This will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL5045 HL5046 question first answered 15/06/2020 16:15:25 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4544 label Biography information for Baroness Mone

1199436

registered interest
date	02/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with faith leaders about the provision of all services and events in places of worship once those places are reopened.
tabling member printed	Baroness Mone
uin	HL5045
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>Following publication on 11 May of “Our Plan to Rebuild”, which outlined the steps we would be taking to ease the lockdown restrictions, the Government launched a Places of Worship Taskforce to look at how places of worship can reopen and operate safely.</p><p>The Secretary of State and I have held a series of meetings with the Taskforce as well as holding faith-specific roundtables to hear the views of our faith leaders on how our places of worship can reopen. This is to ensure that those who visit and those who work there are protected as far as possible. The Government is working with the Taskforce as we develop guidance for our faith communities on the safe reopening of our places of worship. This will include guidance on individual prayer, and services and ceremonies such as weddings. This will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL5044 HL5046 question first answered 15/06/2020 16:15:25 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4544 label Biography information for Baroness Mone

1199437

registered interest
date	02/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government further to the publication of Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy on 11 May, what discussions they have had with faith leaders about the number of people who will be permitted to gather in places of worship for services and events.
tabling member printed	Baroness Mone
uin	HL5046
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2020 answer text <p>Following publication on 11 May of “Our Plan to Rebuild”, which outlined the steps we would be taking to ease the lockdown restrictions, the Government launched a Places of Worship Taskforce to look at how places of worship can reopen and operate safely.</p><p>The Secretary of State and I have held a series of meetings with the Taskforce as well as holding faith-specific roundtables to hear the views of our faith leaders on how our places of worship can reopen. This is to ensure that those who visit and those who work there are protected as far as possible. The Government is working with the Taskforce as we develop guidance for our faith communities on the safe reopening of our places of worship. This will include guidance on individual prayer, and services and ceremonies such as weddings. This will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh grouped question UIN HL5044 HL5045 question first answered 15/06/2020 16:15:25 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4544 label Biography information for Baroness Mone

1195181

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with religious authorities about opening places of worship for (1) personal private devotions, (2) formal services, and (3) funerals and weddings, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
uin	HL4184
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government has been working closely with all major faith groups on a wide variety of issues relating to its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this engagement will continue.</p><p>The Faith Minister has held meetings with Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu faith leaders and representatives since the outbreak. Officials also maintain regular contact with Faith leaders across all major faiths, ensuring the Government is responding to issues relating to COVID-19 as they arise. <br> <br>This engagement will continue at both ministerial and official level as the Government looks to lift restrictions, as outlined in the recovery strategy – “Our Plan to Rebuild”, which was launched on 11 May can be found (attached) here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884760/Our_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884760/Our_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy.pdf</a>. As the document makes clear in Step 3, the Government’s ambition is to open places of worship; the current assumption is that this Step will be no earlier than 4 July.</p><p>As part of the recovery strategy, the Government has launched a Taskforce to look at the possible re-opening of places of worship. The Taskforce will be led by the Secretary of State for Communities, or the Faith Minister, and comprise of representatives from the country’s major faiths. The aim of the Taskforce is to work towards the safe reopening of places of worship, including for private devotions, services and ceremonies like funerals and weddings. It will address the specific issues that places of worship face in the course of reopening safely.</p><p>Places of worship are essential in bringing our communities together, which is why we want to reopen them as soon as we can. However, we will not compromise the safety of those who visit and work at our places of worship. The Government’s priority is to protect the public and save lives. We are committed to ensuring our faith communities have access to the latest public health advice, and to support them to adapt their practices in line with the Government’s COVID-19 guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 26/05/2020 12:31:58 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200514 Our_plan_to_rebuild_The_UK_Government_s_COVID-19_recovery_strategy - HL4184.pdf title Our Plan to Rebuild
tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno