Charlie Dewhirst
Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds
3,125 (7.3%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 4th July 2024
Select Committees
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (since October 2024)Licensing Hours Extensions Bill (since June 2025)
Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill (since June 2025)
6 APPG Officer Positions (as of 18 Jun 2025)
Abraham Accords, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, Child of the North, Fisheries, Science and Technology in Agriculture, UK Food Security6 APPG Memberships
Beer, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, Explosive Weapons and their Impact, Parks and Green Spaces, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Tidy BritainDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(10 debate interactions)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
(5 debate interactions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
(4 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(17 debate contributions)
(13 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,106 words contributed)
(740 words contributed)
(722 words contributed)
(425 words contributed)
Bridlington and The Wolds Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 165,347 signatures (0.23%)
of 180,226 signatures (0.22%)
of 55,458 signatures (0.20%)
of 399,765 signatures (0.19%)
of 399,765 signatures (0.19%)
of 180,226 signatures (0.22%)
of 165,347 signatures (0.23%)
of 250,102 signatures (0.13%)
of 158,412 signatures (0.12%)
c. 494 added daily
108,025
(Estimated)
End the use of cages and crates for all farmed animals
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 17 Feb 2025 Debated on - 16 Jun 2025 View Charlie Dewhirst's petition debate contributionscloses in 2 weeks, 4 days
We think the UK Government must ban all cages for laying hens as soon as possible.
We think it should also ban the use of all cage and crates for all farmed animals including:
• farrowing crates for sows
• individual calf pens
• cages for other birds, including partridges, pheasants and quail
Petition Closed
Don't change inheritance tax relief for working farms
Gov Responded - 5 Dec 2024 Debated on - 10 Feb 2025 View Charlie Dewhirst's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 month, 3 weeks ago
We think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.
Latest EDMs signed by Charlie Dewhirst
Service with the British Commanders’-In-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany, 1946-1990
Tabled by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)That this House recognises the courage, service and commitment of the service personnel who served in the British Commanders’-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS) in East Germany during the Cold War; further recognises the high risk involved in the conduct of the intelligence collection patrols campaign against …
(Most recent: 13 Jun 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 10
Labour: 5
Liberal Democrat: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Imprisonment of Lucy Connolly
Tabled by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)That this House notes with concern the continued imprisonment of Lucy Connolly, a young mother, for a non-violent offence; recognises that the UK’s prison system is facing unprecedented overcrowding; further notes that the use of custodial sentences for non-violent offenders, particularly primary carers, undermines family stability, disproportionately affects children, and …
(Most recent: 23 Jun 2025)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 5
Independent: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Labour: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Charlie Dewhirst, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Charlie Dewhirst has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by Charlie Dewhirst
Charlie Dewhirst has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
4 Bills co-sponsored by Charlie Dewhirst
Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Against Men and Boys (Strategy) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Ben Obese-Jecty (Con)
Letter Boxes (Positioning) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Anneliese Midgley (Lab)
Maternity Units (Requirement for Bereavement Suite) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Rosie Wrighting (Lab)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)2 Other Department Questions
Dr Stephenson has been selected as the Government Preferred Candidate for the next EHRC Chair, following a fair and open process, in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. As per the Code, all candidates were asked to declare any conflicts of interest they held as part of the interview process. We will continue to follow the Code as the process continues.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
In April 2023, the previous government issued guidance on positive action in the workplace (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers/positive-action-in-the-workplace). This sets out the differences between positive action and positive discrimination and what is permitted under the Equality Act 2010.
For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued.
The arrangements relating to the usage of vehicles in the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued.
The arrangements relating to the usage of vehicles in the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Details of ministers’ and senior officials’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to government departments as a shared resource. Each department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles to its ministerial cadre/officials, as under previous administrations.
The Attorney General’s Office is currently allocated two vehicles including allocated and shared vehicles.
For security reasons specific details of allocations including make and model of vehicles are not issued.
The average cost to a department for a single DPC (Department Pool Car) in 2024/25 financial years is £108K per annum.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government Car Service (GCS) offers vehicles to government departments as a shared resource. Each department independently determines the allocation of these vehicles.
The arrangements relating to the using of vehicles in the Government Car Service is set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
There has been no change in this policy since the general election.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee (PPS Committee) is one of ten specialist honours committees which assess honours nominations put forward by members of the public, government departments and professional bodies.
Honours committees are made up of individuals with considerable experience of the area covered by the committee. The PPS Committee considers candidates for honours from the UK Parliament, the Devolved Legislatures, the staff of Westminster and other Assemblies, the staff of bodies which report to them, Party workers, councillors and others working for local government.
The current membership of the PPS Committee comprises four independent members, appointed through a public appointments process, and three official members who are the incumbent chief whips from the three largest political parties in the House of Commons. The process to appoint the new independent Chair of the PPS Committee is ongoing and an announcement will be made in due course. The full composition of each honours committee can be found on gov.uk.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
Salary data for the Civil Service is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics, an Accredited Official Statistics release. Civil Service Statistics 2025 is due to be published on 30 July 2025.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Airbus A321-253NX with registration G-OATW is not used by the Cabinet Office for official travel.
Since assuming the registration G-OATW in October 2023, the aircraft has been chartered under various contracts with other government departments, to support their official business.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The dates and value of payments received are as follows:
Sept 2024 - £4.87
Sept to Nov 2024 - £2,827.94
Dec 2024 - £102.40
Each of these payments was for use of Government Car Service.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We remain fully committed to bringing in this legislation which will include a legal duty of candour for public servants and criminal sanctions for those who do not comply.
Having consulted with groups and their representatives, more time is required to draft the best version of a Hillsborough Law.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Honourable Member to the information published on GOV.UK on 28 November 2024 which provided a summary of the His Majesty The King Official Portrait Scheme, including the number of portraits provided and the total cost of the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/conclusion-of-his-majesty-the-kings-free-portrait-scheme
The HMK Portrait scheme was launched on 14th November 2023 and, including two extensions of scope, ran until 15th August 2024. A total of 20,565 orders were received, the cost of which, including delivery, was £2,710,705.50 with an average price of £131.81 per portrait.
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The campaign to appoint new Independent Members to the House of Lords Appointments Commission was launched earlier this year and remains active. It has not been re-opened.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In April, the government announced that spending taxpayer money on new unnecessary branded merchandise will be banned and will only be permitted when essential for delivering the government’s agenda, for example, in overseas trade and diplomacy, to promote growth. Government departments can continue to use existing branded merchandise.
Branded goods are presently available through the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Campaign Solutions 2 Framework (RM6125), which was established under the previous administration in September 2021.
CCS is in the process of establishing a new framework, RM6364 Media and Creative Services, which will replace Campaign Solutions 2. The new framework will not cover branded goods.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In addition to steps this Government has already taken to improve transparency, in particular through the introduction of the monthly register of ministers' gifts and hospitality, the Government continues to develop its broader work on ethics and standards and will update the Committee on the outcome of that work in due course.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
This information is not centrally held by the Cabinet Office.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Civil Service is committed to creating a safe and supportive work environment for all its employees and will not tolerate any form of harassment, unacceptable behaviour or abuse by any party, towards any employee.
Departments have their own policies and guidance on dealing with any such behaviour.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
As of January 2025, 10 Downing Street held 45 Government Procurement Cards. In the Cabinet Office instructions were issued to the bank on 18 March 2025 to freeze the cards. The number of cards held by No. 10 remains under review.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer to Question 34459. The arrangements relating to officials' use of vehicles from the Government Car Service are set out in the Civil Service Management Code. In particular, section 8.2.7 states the conditions under which Permanent Secretaries may use official cars, and states that Permanent Secretaries may determine whether, exceptionally, other senior staff are allowed to use official cars on the same conditions. Departmental Private Offices will administer the allocation; ministerial private offices would not be involved in any such decisions other than in determining if a car is available.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Payment will be made through the Government Property Agency, and the cost of these works will be published in due course in Cabinet Office transparency returns.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In line with paragraph 8.1 of the Framework Agreement, Cabinet Office Ministers will continue to answer parliamentary questions about the work of the Civil Service Commission, as the government department responsible for sponsoring the Commission, while respecting its operational independence.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
We have deposited a copy of the policy in the House library.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Line Managers are expected to be aware of, and ensure compliance with, the minimum 60% expectation for their direct reports. This approach is the same both in and outside of London.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
There are 6 full-time equivalents working in standalone EDI roles. These sit in HR teams across the different Cabinet Office functions and the central HR team in line with the EDI Expenditure guidance published in May 2024, delivering statutory obligations and government priorities. In May 2024, the Cabinet Office had 7 full time equivalent working in standalone EDI roles.
The Office for Equality and Opportunity is responsible for external government policy on equality. It does not have any internal roles focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Following the announcement in December of last year that Lady Elish Angiolini was to be appointed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, it became clear that there is a legal restriction against a Catholic person being appointed to the role.
The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Act 2025 has been passed by both Houses of Parliament with cross-party support and has received Royal Assent. This legislation removes the historical legal restriction and will ensure that Lady Elish can take up the role.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
As was the case under previous administrations, no such agreements are in place with HMRC and the National Crime Agency.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Education is currently working through the approval process to establish the School Support Staff Negotiating Body as an Arm’s Length Body, in parallel to the passage of the Employment Rights Bill. The completion of business cases as part of this process considers other viable delivery mechanisms and ensures there is a clear rationale for its creation.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th March is attached.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information used to form the aggregate figure for which the spending reduction on communications and marketing is based on can be found through the Government efficiency, transparency and accountability page on Gov.uk.
A comprehensive communications Spending Review identified 39 campaigns that were cancelled, 46 campaigns continuing with reduced budgets and 46 campaigns aiming to reduce their expenditure by 25%. The combined savings from these measures total £85 million in 2024-25 and up to £96 million in 2025-26.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Under the provisions of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is required to maintain the UK Register of Consultant Lobbyists. Under the legislation, which was introduced by the then Government in 2013, all registrants must be UK VAT registered. As such, the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists does not regulate foreign based consultant lobbyist firms.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government welcomes the important work of the JCNSS to scrutinise the national security decision making.
I refer the Honourable Member to the letter sent by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 24 February 2025, to the Chair of the JCNSS, which has been published here https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/46888/documents/241917/default/.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Staff Network time allocation is agreed between networks and departments as the employer. The majority of staff time spent on diversity staff networks is voluntary and unpaid. The Cabinet Office doesn’t allocate any hours of network time to the Civil Service Muslim Network.
The current senior sponsor for the Civil Service Muslim Network is the Director of Civil Service Employee Engagement & People Performance, Government People Group.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
36 Whitehall is not in use and there are no current plans to bring it back into use. Its return to use is regularly reviewed. There are no plans to dispose of the property.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Departments may employ photographers in order to support government’s priorities, enable effective operation of public services and improve people’s lives.
The Cabinet Office Communications team employs two Digital Media Officers who support government work in Departments and undertake photography as a small part of their duties.
There are also 2 full time, dedicated photographers in the No10 team. Although they are funded by the Cabinet Office, their work is managed by No10.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Line Managers are expected to be aware of, and ensure compliance with, the minimum 60% expectation for their direct reports. This approach is the same both in and outside of London.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Compressed working arrangements are agreed and recorded at a team level. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
At any point in time, there is likely to be a small number of individuals who have been displaced due to restructures within their business units or, for example, have returned from a loan from another department and their role no longer exists. The exact number changes on a day-to-day basis.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Matters relating to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sit with the Freedom of Information Policy Team in the Cabinet Office.
Further information about the role Cabinet Office plays in ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act across government is published here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-and-freedom-of-information
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
As was the case under the previous administration, the timing of meetings of the Group have been organised on an ad hoc basis. The Government will set out its plans for the Information Rights User Group in due course.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In line with the newly announced changes to Senior Civil Service Performance management, this Government will require that Permanent Secretaries identify the lowest performing members of their senior workforce and take action to address this within 6 months. In addition to expanding the tools available to ensure that those with the right skills can deliver to the highest standard and drive a productive and efficient Civil Service, we will hold Heads of Departments accountable for the management of underperformance.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
A copy of the response to FOI2025/01530 has now been deposited in the House Library. The media suite is in a listed part of 9 Downing Street.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy provides a framework for departments about how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) should be embedded in the Civil Service.
The EDI Expenditure Guidance and the Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality for Civil Servants also provide guidance on specific aspects of EDI. None of this guidance has changed since the General Election.
Departmental EDI guidance for individual civil servants will be held in departments.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Central government uses the same tool for assessing social value that has been used since 2021, where central government buyers select evaluation criteria from the options available in the social value model.
We have made updates to the social value model, to streamline it, align it with the government’s missions and ensure suppliers’ commitments are targeted to need. Any new criteria in the social value model must only be used where they are proportionate and relevant to the contract to prevent creating burdens.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
There is no existing Memorandum of Understanding between HOLAC and the Cabinet Office. As with all independent advisory bodies, the Government keeps its arrangements with HOLAC under review. HOLAC has published on its website its Code of Practice and other information detailing the way in which it carries out its advisory role.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government has previously published summaries of departments’ yearly Strategic Asset Management Plans (SAMPs). These are available on the UK government's website (GOV.UK) at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-strategic-asset-management-plan-executive-summaries
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
All central Government departments are required to publish Government Procurement Card transactions of £500 and over in line with the guidance available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf.
Departments can elect to publish transactions under £500 if they so wish.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
All FOI requests and written parliamentary questions are considered on a case by case basis. In the Cabinet Office, AI software is not currently used to respond to FOI requests or written parliamentary questions. AI software may be used in the future, as appropriate, to support certain elements of these processes.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)