lack Country MP John Spellar welcomed the announcement from the Prime Minister that restrictions on places of worship would be lifted when the national lockdown ends on 2 December 2020.

He commented: ‘I am glad that the Government have listened to the many religious communities who will be encouraged by this news. This is a time of year many find difficult – even in non-pandemic times, recognising the importance of allowing people to places of worship is welcome. If the Government want to impose further restrictions at a later date, they must publish clear scientific evidence for doing so.’

Spellar had previously put down a Parliamentary Early Day Motion calling on the Government to ‘publish the evidence that the banning of communal worship is an effective part of controlling the covid-19 rate of infection’ – highlighting the role places of worship play ‘in providing support to communities and individuals’ – including their spiritual and mental wellbeing.

Moreover, Spellar recently signed a cross-party letter of 70 MPs and Peers calling on the Government to guarantee Christmas church services go ahead.