The Prime Minister has been asked to recognise the importance of religious gatherings and if churches can re-open as soon as possible.

Places of worship will be closed from Thursday in England for four Sundays, until 2nd December. Broadcasts can still be done from church buildings and they can open for private prayer but no regular services or weddings are allowed.

Conservative MP Stuart Anderson, who spoke in his maiden speech about how becoming a Christian saved him from suicide, asked his party leader: "Does the Prime Minister recognise the importance of places of worship to my constituents in Wolverhampton and the rest of the country? And does he agree they should open as soon as practically possible and really commend all the work that has been done in these places to make them Covid secure?"

Boris Johnson replied: "First I thank my honourable friend for campaigning for places of worship in the way that he does. Second, I'm so, so deeply sorry that these restrictions have to be placed right now but we will work as hard as we can and as fast as we can to make sure that we allow them to come back to worship in the way that they want from December 2nd and that's why I hope that the House will pass this package of measures tonight."

Boris Johnson confirmed during Prime Minister's Questions that churches would only be open for private prayer.

The House of Commons are voting on the lockdown in England, with it expected to pass with the support of Labour. However, a number of Tory MPs could rebel.