Written Question
Tuesday 29th June 2021
Asked by:
Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question
to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will (a) update the guidance for significant life events including christenings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs as part of Step 3 of the covid-19 roadmap and (b) clarify limits on the number of guests permitted to attend those events; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of aligning that guidance with the removal of the cap on maximum guest limits for weddings, civil partnerships, receptions, wakes, funerals and other commemorative events.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Guidance on significant life events, such as baptisms and bar mitzvahs, is available on gov.uk as part of the guidance for the safe use of places of worship. This guidance is kept under continual review, and the government continues to work with its Places of Worship Taskforce and faith leaders to review and amend this guidance, as necessary.
If significant life events take place as part of communal worship, participation is limited by the capacity of the venue, in line with the wider rules on communal worship. If significant life events take place as standalone events, there is a limit of up to 30 people (indoors or outdoors, excluding inside private homes). Anyone working is not included in this limit.
From 21 June, there is no longer a maximum number cap for attendees at wedding or civil partnership ceremonies and receptions set out in law. Many people have planned for wedding or civil partnership ceremonies and receptions a long time in advance, and these types of events can be difficult to book and to cancel. They often require aligning multiple businesses, sometimes years in advance, and can have a significant social and economic cost. The exact number of attendees will be based on the COVID-19 risk assessment of each venue or outdoor space, and measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 27 May 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" It is inevitable that, as we continue to unlock, we will see the odd pocket of covid hotspots and variants spread throughout the country, so will my right hon. Friend say now that, wherever possible, we will try to use local, well-communicated, regional measures to suppress those hotspots so …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 12 May 2021
Covid-19 Update
"The Times reported at the weekend that there are 120,000 people who are immunocompromised—for instance, those having treatment for cancer. For them, the effectiveness of the vaccine is still unknown. What safety reassurances can my right hon. Friend give to those worried and anxious—the clinically extremely vulnerable—as we continue to …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Apr 2021
Ministerial Code
"Constituents are sick and tired of this endless tittle-tattle. They just want their lives to go back normal, which is what this Government are helping them to achieve. They could not care less about the Prime Minister’s cushions or his curtains. When will we have an Opposition who care about …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Written Question
Tuesday 13th April 2021
Asked by:
Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question
to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Government Guidance: COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, published on 22 February 2021, what the Government's definition is of minimising travel; what (a) distances and (b) frequencies are permitted in that travel guidance; how that guidance on minimising travel will be enforced given domestic overnight stays are permitted and self-contained accommodation re-opens; and whether the Government's stay local advice remains in place at that stage.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
From the 29th of March the legal order to ‘Stay at home’ ceased and the government is asking people to minimise travel. This means that people should avoid making unnecessary journeys and combine their trips where possible. People should remember that other restrictions remain in place, for instance, if visiting friends and families they can only do so outside.
There are no permitted limits to the distance that may be travelled or frequency of journeys. People are permitted to stay away from their home overnight from 12th April, but only with members of their own household in self contained accommodation. People will not be allowed to enter another household to stay with friends and family until at least the 17th May. When travelling, people should remember to do so safely, planning ahead, travelling at quiet times, sanitise your hands, wear a face covering unless exempt and social distance.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 12 Apr 2021
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
"Norfolk, as we know, has a special connection to the royal family through Sandringham, and my constituency is no different. Indeed, the town of Holt, where I grew up, is synonymous with the royal family, and today it is still frequented by members, who can shop peacefully away from the …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 24 Feb 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" If the UK is to become the Saudi Arabia of wind power, off my coast of North Norfolk is surely the capital. But the current piecemeal and environmentally damaging connection method to the national grid is holding us back, as was proven by the Vattenfall judicial review just last …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 13 Jan 2021
Oral Answers to Questions
" I am sure the Prime Minister will join me in saying that we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all our carers, including unpaid carers, young carers and those throughout the social care profession, for the tireless work they have done during the pandemic. Representing North Norfolk, the …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Dec 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
" What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. ..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
View all Duncan Baker (Con - North Norfolk) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Dec 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"I thank my hon. Friend for what he is doing for veterans. Service leavers since 8 January this year will have been given their veterans ID cards to mark their time in the armed forces, but will veterans who left before December 2018 still be able to apply for their …..."Duncan Baker - View Speech
View all Duncan Baker (Con - North Norfolk) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions