To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Division Vote (Commons)
15 Dec 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 88 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 96
Written Question
Hospitality Industry and Retail Trade: Business Rates
Monday 15th December 2025

Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the combined effect of higher rateable values and reduced business rates relief on (a) the number of hospitality businesses and (b) vacancy rates on high streets over the next three years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties, including those on the high street.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Treasury Ministers and officials engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across the pub and hospitality sector ahead of the Budget to discuss business rates.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 11 Dec 2025
Foreign Interference

"First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Lewes (James MacCleary) on securing today’s very important and timely debate. We live in unprecedented times, in which those who wish to undermine this great nation are doing so daily, and on multiple fronts. The need to co-operate more closely with our global …..."
Charlie Dewhirst - View Speech

View all Charlie Dewhirst (Con - Bridlington and The Wolds) contributions to the debate on: Foreign Interference
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Dec 2025 - Conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 86 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 90 Noes - 297
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Dec 2025 - Seasonal Work - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 98
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Dec 2025 - Seasonal Work - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 98 Noes - 325
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Dec 2025
Railways Bill

"The east coast main line is a fantastic example of where privatisation has worked. Open access operators such as Hull Trains, Lumo and Grand Central are competing with the franchisee and keeping prices down and service levels up. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Bill does nothing to …..."
Charlie Dewhirst - View Speech

View all Charlie Dewhirst (Con - Bridlington and The Wolds) contributions to the debate on: Railways Bill
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Dec 2025 - Railways Bill - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 170 Noes - 332
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Dec 2025 - UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 100 Noes - 100
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Dec 2025 - Railways Bill - View Vote Context
Charlie Dewhirst (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 329 Noes - 173