COVID-19: Couples to find out on Monday if wedding restrictions will be lifted, minister says
Mr Jenrick says weddings will be one of the topics the PM will address on 14 June, when a decision is made on easing lockdown.
Wednesday 9 June 2021 15:10, UK
A government minister has said he would like to see more people allowed to attend weddings in England and hinted that Boris Johnson could say something specifically on the matter next week.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News he would "like to see the number of people attending weddings increase" and said the government is giving "careful thought" on whether to allow the current limit of 30 guests to be raised.
Mr Jenrick said weddings will be one of the topics that the prime minister will address on 14 June, when a decision is due to be made on whether the government's target date of 21 June, for the next relaxation of restrictions in England, can go ahead.
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But he warned prospective couples not to make plans for large events until the prime minister has spoken next Monday "if that is important to you".
Planning a wedding has been a difficult process for many since the first COVID lockdown in March 2020.
Since step three of the government's roadmap on 17 May, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-secure venues that are allowed to open.
Before step three of the government's roadmap last month, receptions could only take place with up to 15 people in the form of a sit-down meal in outdoor venues with COVID precautions in place.
Under plans for 21 June, people would be able to invite as many guests as they like to their wedding - which could take place both indoors or outdoors.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford issued new guidance on Friday, which places outdoor wedding receptions in the same category as sporting events, concerts and festivals.
It means, in Wales, rules on outdoor wedding receptions now allow guest numbers to match concerts and sporting events - up to 10,000 people sitting or 4,000 standing.
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday morning, Mr Jenrick acknowledged the current guidance for weddings in England is "very tough", with many having to make difficult decisions as to which family members and friends can attend.
"Well, weddings can go ahead right now but with a maximum of 30 guests. I appreciate that that is very tough and I would like to see the number of people attending weddings increase," he said
"We are giving that careful thought. That will be one of the topics that the PM will address on 14 June.
"So again, people who are looking forward to those weddings don't have very long to wait for an answer."
Pushed on what his advice was for couples who have planned larger celebrations post-21 June in accordance with the government's roadmap, Mr Jenrick added: "Well, we have always said that the roadmap is subject to review of the data, that is what is happening right now."
He continued: "So I wouldn't make plans until you have heard from the PM if that is important to you.
"But weddings can go ahead right now, but just with a maximum of 30 guests."
Mr Johnson married Carrie Symonds in a small ceremony at Westminster Cathedral at the end of May.
Coronavirus restrictions meant about 220,000 weddings were postponed last year, meaning 94% of celebrations did not go ahead.
Many of the 60,000 businesses in this £14.7bn sector, which employs about 400,000 workers, have been pushed to the brink of closure as a result.
The UK Weddings Taskforce calculates the wedding sector will lose £325m for every week of delay if restrictions are not relaxed on 21 June and that an estimated 50,000 weddings planned in the four weeks from that date would be in danger of being cancelled.
Weddings Taskforce spokesperson Sarah Haywood said: "A hugely expensive, irrecoverable investment has been made by the decimated weddings sector in the ramp-up to full reopening on the 21 June - the only date we have been given to work to.
"That investment is in infrastructure, consumables - such as food and flowers - and on retraining and hiring new staff.
"For wedding businesses, the loss is not just the £325m for each week's delay to full reopening. It is the millions in addition lost on staff wages in the last 6-8 weeks to prepare for 21 June, and the effects on cashflow for businesses who have not been able to trade in a commercially viable form for 15 months.
"The harsh treatment of our sector, lack of parity with other closely related industries, and government's refusal to work with us on sensible solutions to see the sector through to the other side of the pandemic now jeopardises 400,000 jobs.
"There is no data to support us having been so heavily penalised throughout the recent restrictions and now the very survival of our world-class sector is in doubt.
"If it is lost it will take a decade or more to rebuild, affecting over a quarter of a million couples every single year and with a devastating societal impact."