Charlie Dewhirst MP: written questions

Written questions

• Gambling Commission: StaffDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18828More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the answer of 17 April 2026 to Question 123653 on Gambling Commission: Staff, whether Gambling Commission staff are (a) civil and (b) crown servants.

  Answer: Gambling Commission staff are neither civil nor crown servants. They are public servants who act on behalf of the Crown to regulate the commercial gambling industry.

  Answered 22 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Permanent Secretaries: SecondmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18827More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the Second Permanent Secretary has been seconded to the Blavatnik School of Government; and whether the Civil Service is funding his salary.

  Answer: The secondment to the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford forms part of the Civil Service's commitment to promoting the exchange of skills, knowledge and experience between government and external organisations. As is standard for s...

  Answered 17 Aug 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Gambling Commission: Public AppointmentsDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18826More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission on a timetable for a new permanent appointment for its chief executive.

  Answer: The timetable for appointing a permanent Chief Executive to the Gambling Commission is a matter for the Gambling Commission’s Board. Any appointment will be subject to the Secretary of State agreeing terms and conditions.

  Answered 22 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• UniteDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18825More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the status is of the Certification Officer’s investigation into the Unite trade union and the hotel development.

  Answer: The Certification Officer has appointed an inspector to investigate the financial affairs of Unite the Union. The inspector's work is continuing and upon its conclusion, the Certification Officer will publish the report on the Certification Officer's webs...

  Answered 20 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Buildings: SafetyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18274More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate has been made of the cost incurred by accountable persons for time spent by the Building Safety Regulator to determine building assessment certificate applic

  Answer: The cost of a Building Assessment Certificate application varies due to the application's complexity and quality. For applications submitted and determined between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2026, the average cost is £15,561. The Building Safety Regu...

  Answered 17 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Conditions of EmploymentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17156More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what is his planned timetable for (a) consulting on and (b) implementing the right to switch off and the associated Statutory Code of Practice.

  Answer: The Government recognises the risks of blurred boundaries between work and home. At the same time, it is important that employers can contact their workers when they have a legitimate need to do so. Government is undertaking work to gather evidence to dev...

  Answered 14 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Electoral Commission: CybersecurityMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16721More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111737 on Electoral Commission: Cybersecurity, whether the National Cyber Security Centre received representations in

  Answer: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) handles any reports it receives relating to cyber incidents in confidence and so it would not be appropriate to comment on any such engagements. More generally, however, defending democracy is a priority for the N...

  Answered 13 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Social Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16720More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release, social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back, 15 June 2026, whether the Government’s new Di

  Answer: Following the Government’s announcement that it will restrict social media access for under-16s, the Secretary of State asked Ofcom to conduct a rapid assessment of what will constitute highly effective age assurance and what is fair and accessible. Ofcom...

  Answered 14 Jul 2026

  Original Parliament record