Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he publish a timescale for allowing choral singing and performance to resume in English cathedrals and churches as covid-19 restrictions are eased; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The roadmap to reopening published on 22 February set out the steps by which restrictions on activities will be lifted and the considerations that will determine the rate of progress. Singing, playing some musical instruments, shouting and physical activity increases the risk of transmission through small droplets and aerosols and the cumulative effect of aerosol transmission means the more people involved, the higher the risk of transmission.
From 17 May, when Step 3 of the roadmap is taken, indoors in a Place of Worship a group of up to 6 amateur singers can perform, or rehearse for performance. There is no limit on the number of professional singers but they should follow guidance for the performing arts. Outdoors, the congregation may join in with singing in multiple groups of up to 30. Congregation members should continue to follow social distancing rules. A decision on whether to allow larger performances and communal singing in a place of worship will be taken as we approach Step 4 of the roadmap, no earlier than 21 June.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
What guidance his Department issues to local authorities on their membership of local enterprise partnerships; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Simon Clarke
The Department has provided clear guidance on the membership of Local Enterprise Partnerships through our National Local Growth Assurance Framework.
Each Local Enterprise Partnership is required to set out the membership requirements of their Board and Sub-Boards in a Local Assurance Framework which should be published on their website.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
What recent steps his Department has taken to support the clinically extremely vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
At the start of this pandemic we advised Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people to shield - to not leave their homes and avoid face-to-face contact – and we set up the National Shielding Service; a huge logistical exercise unprecedented since the Second World War.
This has included delivering over 3 million free food boxes to date, securing priority supermarket slots, getting people’s medicines delivered to their doorstep, and social contact.
On 1 June, following clinical advice, we announced that?clinically extremely?vulnerable?people in England?can spend time outdoors?with members of their household, or with one other person from another household if they live alone, while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines.
The next review will take place this week. As part of this, the Government will consider the next steps for shielding beyond 30 June. The Government will write to all individuals on the shielded patient list with information about next steps on shielding advice and the support that will be available to them after this review point.
Asked by: Michael Fabricant (Conservative - Lichfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to reply to the letter from Andy Street, Metro Mayor of the West Midlands, on proposed changes to the geography of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull local enterprise partnership; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jake Berry
The letter from Andy Street, Metro Mayor of the West Midlands, has been received. A response will be sent shortly.
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have been integral to economic growth across England since their establishment in 2010. This Government remains committed to strengthening LEPs to deliver ambitious strategies for growth and build an economy which is fit for the future.