Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether, from 21 June 2021, outdoor singing can take place, including for choirs.

I know that the restrictions on singing are frustrating to large numbers of amateur choirs and performance groups across the country and that many people have made sacrifices in order to drive down infections and protect the NHS over the last year. I can assure you that everyone across Government wants to ease these restrictions as soon as possible.

Following the move to Step 3 on 17 May, non-professional groups of up to six people can now sing indoors, in line with the rule of 6 applying to many other indoor activities and gatherings. They can also perform or rehearse in groups of up to 30 outdoors, or in multiple groups of 30 outdoors provided the groups are kept separate throughout the activity, in line with other large events that follow the organised events guidance for local authorities.

We will continue to keep guidance and restrictions under review. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out as soon as possible.