Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of the risk to public health of a social gathering of six people (a) in the open air and (b) inside a building; and if he will make a statement.

From Monday 14 September, when meeting friends and family they do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) people must not meet in a group of more than six, indoors or outdoors. The law is clear. If there is any risk that a group of more than six will mix (including young children) then this must not happen.

Guidance on GOV.UK encourages people to meet outdoors where practical: meeting people outdoors is safer than meeting people indoors because fresh air provides better ventilation.

Going into winter – when more people will be socialising indoors – it is essential to have clear and well-understood rules, in order to prevent the spread of the virus.