Every parliamentary written question tabled by Charlie Dewhirst this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 361–380 of 818 · this parliament
What his policy is on the (a) re-use and (b) disposal of branded (i) goods and (ii) signage out of date following machinery of Government changes.
The Cabinet Office does not issue guidance on the re-use and/or disposal of branded goods and signage made obsolete as a result of Machinery of Government changes. It is the responsibility of individual departments to ensure their branded assets are managed appropriately following changes in government structures.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled Extension of Generalist Member to the Senior Salaries Review Body, published on 5 August 2025, whether the Public Appointments Commissioner was consulted on the decision to reappoint the Generalist Member for 12 months.
Under the Governance Code on Public Appointments, departments must notify the Commissioner for Public Appointments of “exceptional reappointments or extensions”. An exceptional reappointment or extension is one that requires a postholder to serve for more than two terms or ten years.On 10 July 2025, Pippa Greenslade’s appointment to the Senior Salaries Review Body was extended for 12 months. This is not considered an “exceptional extension” and therefore the Commissioner for Public Appointments was not notified.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 32929 on Cabinet Office: Palantir, which non-civil service organisations have seconded staff to the Downing Street business unit since July 2024.
There have been no secondments from non-Civil Service organisations to Downing Street since July 2024.
How much has been spent on alcohol for the 10 Downing Street business unit via (a) the Government Wine Cellar, (b) Berry Bros and (c) other suppliers since 4 July 2024.
Official receptions in 10 Downing Street are hosted by Ministers across Government, with details published each quarter as part of the Government's transparency returns. The cost of hospitality in 10 Downing Street is published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts.
How much funding (a) his Department and (b) the Crown Commercial Service has provided to the DigiGov Expo 2025.
No funding has been provided to DigiGov Expo 2025 by either the Crown Commercial Service or the Cabinet Office.
Further to the press release entitled NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities, published on 25 June 2025, whether those convicted of (a) violent offences and (b) sexual offences will be eligible for the new recruitment scheme.
Anyone taking part in the Widening Access Demonstrator programme will be subject to the same employment checks as existing NHS and social care staff.Roles providing health or personal care are considered ‘regulated activity’ and are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS check), which would disclose any details related to violent and sexual offences whether spent or unspent. In addition, these roles are subject to a check against the DBS barred list. The DBS barred lists ensure that individuals who have been convicted of the most serious crimes such as violent and sexual offences, where there is an ongoing risk of harm to vulnerable groups (patients), are prevented from seeking employment to gain access to these groups.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025, to Question 52869 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, if he will provide a breakdown of the costs on (a) refurbishment and (b) fixtures and fittings for each of the three flats since 4 July 2024.
Costs relating to the Government Property Agency are included in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts. A detailed breakdown of refurbishment, fixtures and fittings relating to the Former Deputy Prime Minister’s residence in Admiralty House has been provided in response to FOI2025/12565, which is in the public domain. I will arrange for a copy of this response to be deposited in the Commons Library.
Pursuant to the Answer of 28 July 2025 to Question 68480 on Government Legal Service, if she will publish that guidance.
The Government Legal Department (GLD) received a request in July 2025 made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the guidance listed in the Answer to Question 68480. The GLD’s response to that request, which includes extracts of some of the guidance requested, is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68f9fca6e200d653d8b636eb/FOI_25_159_Response_07-10-25_Redacted.pdf. The appendices to the response are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gld-policy-foi-releases.The Attorney General’s Guidance on Legal Risk, published in November 2024, is publicly available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-attorney-generals-guidance-on-legal-risk.
How many cases of (a) misconduct and (b) reflective practice under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 have been referred for investigation in each of the last five years, broken down by local police force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on police misconduct proceedings, cases, and allegations on an annual basis in the ‘Police misconduct, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-misconduct-statistics.The latest information covers cases finalised in year ending 31 March 2024. The data tables accompanying these statistics contain information on individuals referred to proceedings by proceeding type and Police Force Area (table MP1), and the subsequent misconduct finding level (table MP3).Not all allegations are referred to misconduct proceedings. Tables PC6a and PC6b, CM5, and RC5 contain information on the number of allegations finalised by action (for example, referral to proceedings, or referral to reflective practice review process) and Police Force Area, for cases arising from complaints, conduct, and recordable conduct matters respectively.Tables CM7a and RC7a contain information on the average (median) time to finalise conduct and recordable conduct matter cases, by Police Force Area. These statistics include all finalised cases, including those not referred to misconduct proceedings or where no action was deemed necessary. A case is considered finalised once all resultant actions have concluded, including criminal proceedings, appeals and any associated reviews.These statistics are designated Official Statistics in Development to acknowledge that they should be interpreted with caution, particularly when comparing between years. Please see the user guide for further details https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/user-guide-to-police-misconduct-statistics/user-guide-to-police-misconduct-statistics.
How many suicides by police officers have been recorded in each of the last ten years, by local police force.
The Home Office does not currently collect or hold this information centrally. The Office for National Statistics publishes data on the number of suicides registered in England and Wales by occupation. The latest available data can be found here: Suicide by occupation in England and Wales: 2023 and 2024, provisional - Office for National StatisticsThis Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police workforce is a priority.The National Police Wellbeing Service has created a national suicide action plan which aims to educate and support the workforce, reduce stress and improve data recording. In addition, the Service has put in place a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line to provide urgent support for our police when they need it the most.
What the average period of time taken was to conclude an investigation of misconduct against a police officer under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 in each local police force area in each of the last five years.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on police misconduct proceedings, cases, and allegations on an annual basis in the ‘Police misconduct, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-misconduct-statistics.The latest information covers cases finalised in year ending 31 March 2024. The data tables accompanying these statistics contain information on individuals referred to proceedings by proceeding type and Police Force Area (table MP1), and the subsequent misconduct finding level (table MP3).Not all allegations are referred to misconduct proceedings. Tables PC6a and PC6b, CM5, and RC5 contain information on the number of allegations finalised by action (for example, referral to proceedings, or referral to reflective practice review process) and Police Force Area, for cases arising from complaints, conduct, and recordable conduct matters respectively.Tables CM7a and RC7a contain information on the average (median) time to finalise conduct and recordable conduct matter cases, by Police Force Area. These statistics include all finalised cases, including those not referred to misconduct proceedings or where no action was deemed necessary. A case is considered finalised once all resultant actions have concluded, including criminal proceedings, appeals and any associated reviews.These statistics are designated Official Statistics in Development to acknowledge that they should be interpreted with caution, particularly when comparing between years. Please see the user guide for further details https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/user-guide-to-police-misconduct-statistics/user-guide-to-police-misconduct-statistics.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of facial recognition cameras in public places on civil liberties.
When using facial recognition technology, all police forces and local authorities must comply with data protection, equalities and human rights laws. They must also comply with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.Police forces are also required to comply with any published policing policies and in the case of live facial recognition, follow the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice.The government wants to ensure that facial recognition operates on a firm footing, providing maximum confidence to both the public and the police on the use of these tools. To that end, I have been listening carefully to stakeholders and partners and have held a series of roundtables with policing, civil society groups, regulators and others. Formal evaluation work on the impact of the technology is also underway, and we intend to set out our plans in the coming months.
What guidance her Department has issued to (a) police forces and (b) local authorities on the use of facial recognition cameras in public places.
When using facial recognition technology, all police forces and local authorities must comply with data protection, equalities and human rights laws. They must also comply with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.Police forces are also required to comply with any published policing policies and in the case of live facial recognition, follow the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice.The government wants to ensure that facial recognition operates on a firm footing, providing maximum confidence to both the public and the police on the use of these tools. To that end, I have been listening carefully to stakeholders and partners and have held a series of roundtables with policing, civil society groups, regulators and others. Formal evaluation work on the impact of the technology is also underway, and we intend to set out our plans in the coming months.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54764 on Cabinet Office: Pay, what the annual wage costs were for the EU relations secretariat in the most recent year for which figures are centrally held.
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.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the political balance of the Parliamentary and Political Service honours committee across (a) independent members who hold a party political whip in the House of Lords and (b) official members.
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.
Whether the Airbus A321-253NX with registration G-OATW is still used for official travel.
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.
Pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 31166 on Ministers: Aviation, whether the £4,282 figure includes officials accompanying Ministers.
No, the £4,282 figure is for Ministers only.
Whether (a) he and (b) the Prime Minister are permitted to make use of the King's Helicopter Flight when not in use by the Royal Household.
No. There is no arrangement for the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for Defence for use of the King's Helicopter Flight.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - April 2025 (Spending by Business Units no longer part of Cabinet Office), published on 29 May 2025, what the spending at Wolleys was for.
The expenditure at Woolley's, as recorded in the Cabinet Office’s Government Procurement Card data for April 2025, covered catering (tea and coffee) for URCON 25, the cross-government User Researcher Conference held in April 2025. The event brought together approximately 500 user researchers from across the public sector for a full day of in-person learning, collaboration, and professional development.
With reference to the Office for Equality and Opportunity's press release entitled Government announces preferred candidate for Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission, published on 5 June 2025, whether Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson has made a declaration of political activity.
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.