Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria he will use to decide when to increase the number of people permitted to attend a wedding ceremony; and when he plans to review the current guidance.

Wedding ceremonies are now permitted to take place and we have published guidance on how they can be carried out safely; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships

There is currently a limit of thirty people for attendance at the ceremony, although local restrictions may stipulate a lower number. This limit is to ensure the safety of all those in attendance. There would need to be fewer than thirty people present where social distancing cannot be maintained within the venue.

Evidence on the most effective steps that can be taken to limit the transmission of the virus continues to be regularly reviewed. This guidance may be updated in the future in response to changing scientific understanding.