The Government is committed to protecting freedom of expression and religion, while ensuring that individuals can access abortion services without harassment or intimidation.

The legislation does not specify particular behaviours which are permissible or not permissible in safe access zone. It is for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, who are operationally independent of Government, to determine whether conduct meets the threshold for an offence in the circumstances of a particular case.

The Crown Prosecution Service has published guidance which explains that activities such as vigils or silent prayer could fall within the scope of the offence depending on the intent and circumstances of the case. Operational guidance to police forces on the policing of safe access zones is provided by the College of Policing.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not issued any guidance on whether silent prayer is permissible in a safe access zone by an abortion clinic. I refer the Honourable Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 96563 and UIN 97804.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published guidance on the offence stated under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, which is available in Annex A of Offences during Protests, Demonstrations or Campaigns | The Crown Prosecution Service. Further information is available at Abortion service protection zones in place in England and Wales - GOV.UK. Arrest and charging decisions will always remain a matter for the operationally independent police and CPS. They make decisions about how to respond to specific incidents based on their professional judgement and the circumstances at hand.

The Government is committed to protecting freedom of expression and religion, while ensuring that individuals can access abortion services without harassment or intimidation.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, are made by local authorities to address specific issues in a defined area. The application of PSPOs, including around abortion facilities, is therefore a matter for local authorities.

On 31 October 2024, section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 came into force, introducing safe access zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales. Within these zones, certain conduct, including behaviour intended to influence, obstruct or cause harassment or distress, is an offence.

More broadly, individuals are free to pray in public spaces, including public squares, subject to the general law. Any restrictions must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and decisions on enforcement are for the police and courts.

Section 9 makes it a criminal offence for a person who is within a safe access zone to do any act with the intent of, or reckless as to whether it has the effect of, influencing any person's decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services, obstructing or impeding any person accessing, providing, or facilitating the provision of abortion services, or causing harassment, alarm or distress to any person in connection with a decision to access, provide, or facilitate the provision of abortion services.

Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 does not make any reference to silent prayer.

The Equality Impact Assessment for the Public Order Act 2023 assesses the impact of the Act, including section 9, on people with religious beliefs. This document is published on the GOV.UK website here: Public Order Bill: equality impact assessment - GOV.UK.

Decisions around the enforcement of safe access zones are for the police, who are operationally independent from Government. The College of Policing are responsible for providing operational guidance to the police. They have released their own supplementary content on this topic, available here: Section 9 - Public Order Act 2023: Supplementary content.

The Home Office does not collect any data on breaches of Public Space Protection Orders.

Public Space Protection Orders are designed to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. Decisions regarding what restrictions are imposed are matters for the local authority which is required to consider people’s rights under the European Convention.

In June 2022 the Government published updated statutory guidance on the use of Antisocial Behaviour powers, including Public Spaces Protection Orders. This can be found here - Anti-social behaviour powers (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Decisions regarding the imposition of Public Space Protection Orders, and what restrictions are included are matters for the local authority which is required to consider people’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders is a matter for the local authority and other relevant local partners, including the police, in line with wider human rights considerations.

We understand that some Mosques across the country have been given permission to broadcast the call to prayer, particularly during Ramadan, due to the closure of all Places of Worship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Places of Worship play an important role in spiritual and mental health for many, and in bringing our communities together, which is why we want to reopen them as soon as we can. Local councils understand best the needs of their communities and it is a matter for them to work with their local community. We will continue to engage with stakeholders on matters relating to integration, and the Government remains committed to building strong integrated communities.

Both I and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief plan to attend the US National Prayer Breakfast on 6 February in, Washington DC.​

Thy Kingdom Come is an ecumenical prayer movement started by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2017, which has grown into an annual global movement of prayer. It is supported by His Holiness the Pope and in 2018 over 65 different denominations and traditions held events across 114 countries. Major beacon events took place in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. More information can be found here: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

Events take the form of large public gatherings, community prayer walks, meals and picnics in churches or parks. They bring together people from different traditions and denominations across all parts of the local community.

In Northern Ireland, both Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh issued a joint statement to support events taking place in St Anne’s Cathedral Belfast, St Macartin’s Cathedral Enniskillen, and St Mark’s Church Armagh. Their message can be read here: https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/8866/joint-message-from-archbishop-eamon

In County Londonderry, there were three events which saw churches of different denominations gather for prayer. Those that gathered came together and prayed for their local communities, schools, businesses and community projects, and that the Church be a point of unity and light.

The provision of Parliamentary Prayers is a matter for the House. However, many Members of all faiths appreciate the opportunity for quiet reflection before making important decisions during debates and the course of the Parliamentary day. Over recent years Parliament has made many inclusive reforms, including the creation of a multi-faith prayer room.

The Noble Lord may wish to take informal soundings about this possibility and to consider writing to the Convenor of the Lords Spiritual and Procedure Committee with a proposal.

The process for prayers was last considered by the Procedure Committee in December 2012 (3rd Report, Session 2012-13, HL Paper 81). Any change to the present arrangements would be a matter for the Procedure Committee, in consultation with the Lords Spiritual.

I am replying to this parliamentary question as I have responsibility for the Marriage Act 1949.

It has been a fundamental principle since the introduction of civil marriage that civil marriage should be clearly separated from religious marriage. Section 45(2) of the Marriage Act 1949 states that

'No religious service shall be used at any marriage solemnized in the office of a superintendent registrar'.

Section 46B of the Marriage Act 1949 also states that

'No religious service shall be used at a marriage on approved premises in pursuance of section 26(1) (bb) of this Act’.

There are no plans to allow a religious element to civil marriage.