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Fri, 15 August 2025
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Oliver Dowden MP

Oliver Dowden MP

Conservative MP for Hertsmere and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Government Planned To Let A Pandemic Spread Like 'Wildfire'
Political parties
Government Planned To Let A Pandemic Spread Like "Wildfire"
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has told the Covid inquiry there was a shared “assumption” across Western Europe that the only way to deal with a future pandemic was to let it rip through the population like “wildfire”.
Oliver Dowden Hopes Dominic Raab Resignation Won't Cause 'Letting Up' In Civil Service
Political parties
Oliver Dowden Hopes Dominic Raab Resignation Won't Cause "Letting Up" In Civil Service
Dominic Raab’s resignation over bullying claims should not lead to “letting up in the high standards” expected of civil servants, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has said.
Oliver Dowden Replaces Dominic Raab As Deputy Prime Minister In Mini Cabinet Reshuffle
Political parties
Oliver Dowden Replaces Dominic Raab As Deputy Prime Minister In Mini Cabinet Reshuffle
Oliver Dowden will become deputy prime minister while Alex Chalk will take on the role of justice secretary in a mini reshuffle of Rishi Sunak's cabinet triggered by Dominic Raab's resignation over bullying allegations.
Senior Tory Defends Pension Tax Cut As A 'Basic Decent Principle'
Economy
Senior Tory Defends Pension Tax Cut As A "Basic Decent Principle"
Oliver Dowden has defended the government's decision to lift the £1m cap on pension pots, a move set to benefit around 1m wealthy pensioners, in the face of claims that it is a tax cut for the wealthy.
TikTok Banned On Government Devices In New Security Rules
Technology
TikTok Banned On Government Devices In New Security Rules
TikTok will be banned on government devices, and only pre-approved apps will be allowed across all government phones, Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office Oliver Dowden has confirmed.
Oliver Dowden Claims Nurses’ Pay Rises Are 'Not Affordable' As Unions Warn Of Further Strikes
Health
Oliver Dowden Claims Nurses’ Pay Rises Are "Not Affordable" As Unions Warn Of Further Strikes
Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden has insisted the government's door is "always open" for union talks, but refused to budge over pay rises for nurses.
Rishi Sunak Stands By Gavin Williamson Despite Investigation Into Abusive Messages
Political parties
Rishi Sunak Stands By Gavin Williamson Despite Investigation Into Abusive Messages
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is sticking with Sir Gavin Williamson despite the Cabinet Office minister facing an investigation over a series of abusive and threatening messages sent to the then-Tory chief whip.
Senior Tory Says Leadership Candidates 'Have To Be Honest' About Scale Of Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Economy
Senior Tory Says Leadership Candidates "Have To Be Honest" About Scale Of Cost-Of-Living Crisis
Oliver Dowden has said an intervention on a "considerable scale" is needed by the next prime minister in order to help households through the rise in living costs.
Former Party Chair Lord Baker on 'the Strange Death of Conservative England'
Political parties
By Lord Baker of Dorking
Former Party Chair Lord Baker on 'the Strange Death of Conservative England'
Former Conservative Party Chairman and cabinet minister Lord Baker questions whether the party's MPs will remain loyal to Boris Johnson following the disastrous recent by-election results.
Keir Starmer Calls For Change To 'Sexist, Misogynist' Westminster Culture
Political parties
Keir Starmer Calls For Change To "Sexist, Misogynist" Westminster Culture
Keir Starmer has described Parliament as having a "sexist" culture that must be changed.
Oliver Dowden Says Boris Johnson “Committed To Addressing Culture” Of Drinking In No10
Political parties
Oliver Dowden Says Boris Johnson “Committed To Addressing Culture” Of Drinking In No10
The Prime Minister “is committed to addressing the underlying culture” in Downing Street after reports of widespread drinking by staff during lockdown, according to Tory chairman Oliver Dowden.
Minister Insists Tory Party Isn't 'Sleaze Ridden' As Second Jobs Row Rages On
Political parties
Minister Insists Tory Party Isn't 'Sleaze Ridden' As Second Jobs Row Rages On
Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden has rejected the claim that the government is "sleaze ridden" as MPs prepare to overturn the controversial amendment tabled by ministers that ignited the row over standards and second jobs.
'A man who always had a kind word' - Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Communities
By Oliver Dowden MP
"A man who always had a kind word" - Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden pays tribute to Sir David Amess
They say you can tell a man by his friends. And few parliamentarians can have had more friends than Sir David Amess; a constant warm and colourful presence that charmed parliamentarians, constituents and international dignitaries alike for decades.
Conservative Chairman Warned Not To Neglect Tackling Islamophobia In the Party
Communities
Conservative Chairman Warned Not To Neglect Tackling Islamophobia In the Party
New Conservative chairman Oliver Dowden is under pressure to step up action on tackling Islamophobia in the party by a prominent Muslim MP who has accused them of “dragging their feet” on the issue.
Oliver Dowden: Conservative Conference will pave the way to a stronger future – and election victory
Political parties
By Oliver Dowden MP
Oliver Dowden: Conservative Conference will pave the way to a stronger future – and election victory
When I walked into CCHQ a few weeks back as the new Conservative Party chairman, I felt like the kid that used to stack the shelves and is now running the shop. Many moons ago I was a researcher in the famous Conservative Research Department – to now be chairman of this great party is a privilege and an honour.
Nadine Dorries Has Been Promoted To Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Secretary
Culture
Nadine Dorries Has Been Promoted To Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Secretary
Nadine Dorries will replace Oliver Dowden after she was handed a major promotion to the cabinet role.
Vaccine Passports Could Be Extended To More Places 'According To The Public Health Need'
Coronavirus
Vaccine Passports Could Be Extended To More Places "According To The Public Health Need"
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that use of vaccine certification could extend beyond nightclubs and sporting events "according to the public health need".
Mission: Possible? Protecting the film industry in the wake of the pandemic
Communities
By Dean Russell MP
Mission: Possible? Protecting the film industry in the wake of the pandemic
Almost like a scene from a movie, I was sat in my Parliamentary office last year when I got a message from a producer of the Mission Impossible movies: ‘We have a problem – can you help?’.
Theatres Say The Government Must Act To Save Them After The Latest Delay In Unlocking
Coronavirus
By Georgina Bailey
Theatres Say The Government Must Act To Save Them After The Latest Delay In Unlocking
Theatres have said they urgently need financial support after it was announced that social distancing requirements will stay in place for at least another four weeks, but that no extra support for culture will be provided in the period.
Government shielded the arts during the pandemic – now we must help them recover and thrive
Coronavirus
By Oliver Dowden MP
Government shielded the arts during the pandemic – now we must help them recover and thrive
This time last year, our cultural institutions were staring into the abyss. Covid had forced all of their doors closed; my officials had given me the chilling warning that up to 75 per cent of our theatres, galleries, museums and other cultural institutions were at risk of being lost to the pandemic.
'Justice Has Been Done' After Derek Chauvin Found Guilty Of George Floyd Murder, Culture Secretary Says
Communities
"Justice Has Been Done" After Derek Chauvin Found Guilty Of George Floyd Murder, Culture Secretary Says
The culture secretary Oliver Dowden has welcomed the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, saying "justice has been done".
Oliver Dowden Threatens Transfer Block And Promises To Do 'Whatever It Takes' To Stop English Clubs Joining European Super League
Culture
Oliver Dowden Threatens Transfer Block And Promises To Do "Whatever It Takes" To Stop English Clubs Joining European Super League
The government has warned the six English football clubs which plan to join a controversial new league that it "will put everything on the table" to stop the project going ahead — including a potential ban on signing players from abroad.
Boris Johnson Vows To Work With Football Authorities To Block European Super League
Culture
Boris Johnson Vows To Work With Football Authorities To Block European Super League
The Prime Minister has pledged to work with football's governing groups to block six English football clubs from forming a breakaway European competition.
Ministers 'Expect' First Moderna Covid-19 Jabs To Arrive In The UK Next Month
Coronavirus
Ministers "Expect" First Moderna Covid-19 Jabs To Arrive In The UK Next Month
The government is preparing for the UK’s first batch of Moderna vaccines to arrive next month, confirmed Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who said ministers had “every confidence” that the current lockdown would be the last.
The Culture Secretary Has Told Netflix To Put A Warning Into 'The Crown' Telling Viewers The Drama Is Fictionalised
Social affairs
The Culture Secretary Has Told Netflix To Put A Warning Into "The Crown" Telling Viewers The Drama Is Fictionalised
The culture secretary Oliver Dowden wants Netflix to place a warning at the start of episodes of "The Crown" telling viewers the drama is fictionalised.
Local Football Clubs Say Their Communities Will Lose Much More Than Football If The Pandemic Kills Them Off
Coronavirus
Local Football Clubs Say Their Communities Will Lose Much More Than Football If The Pandemic Kills Them Off
Weekly trips to cheer on your local team have become one of many casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic, with stands and grounds across the country left deserted for much of 2020.
Conservative MPs take aim at the BBC over wordless ‘Rule Britannia’ at Last Night of the Proms
Coronavirus
Conservative MPs take aim at the BBC over wordless ‘Rule Britannia’ at Last Night of the Proms
The BBC has come under fire from Conservative MPs and the Government as it confirmed that it will use orchestral versions of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory at this year’s Last Night of the Proms.
Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden says there is no ‘silver bullet’ on quarantine as Heathrow boss demands testing at the border
Coronavirus
Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden says there is no ‘silver bullet’ on quarantine as Heathrow boss demands testing at the border
Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden has said there is no “silver bullet” to ease coronavirus travel quarantine measures as the boss of Heathrow airport demanded testing at the border.
China condemns ‘disappointing and wrong’ UK Huawei ban as Donald Trump claims credit
Culture
China condemns ‘disappointing and wrong’ UK Huawei ban as Donald Trump claims credit
The UK Government made a “disappointing and wrong decision” to ban Huawei from its 5G network, China has said, as US President Donald Trump welcomed the move.
Government u-turn on Huawei to cost £2bn and delay 5G rollout by 3 years as firm banned from UK by 2027
Economy
Government u-turn on Huawei to cost £2bn and delay 5G rollout by 3 years as firm banned from UK by 2027
The Government has u-turned on Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network in a decision which will cost up to £2billion and delay its rollout by as long as three years.
Indoor gyms and pools to reopen in England from 25 July in latest coronavirus lockdown easing move, Culture Secretary confirms
Coronavirus
Indoor gyms and pools to reopen in England from 25 July in latest coronavirus lockdown easing move, Culture Secretary confirms
Indoor gyms and pools in England will be allowed to reopen from 25 July, the Culture Secretary has confirmed.
Explained: Can Oliver Dowden save the UK theatre industry from coronavirus?
Coronavirus
By Georgina Bailey
Explained: Can Oliver Dowden save the UK theatre industry from coronavirus?
The arts and culture sector has welcomed an unexpected £1.57bn cash boost from the Government. However, with a complex employment and regional picture, will the money go far enough for UK theatres and those who work in them?
Boris Johnson unveils £1.5 billion rescue package for arts and heritage venues amid coronavirus crisis
Coronavirus
Boris Johnson unveils £1.5 billion rescue package for arts and heritage venues amid coronavirus crisis
The Government will pump £1.57bn of investment into the arts, culture and heritage sector in a bid to stave off closures in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Minister says government ‘aspiring’ to reopen gyms in mid-July as they miss out on latest lockdown easing plan
Coronavirus
Minister says government ‘aspiring’ to reopen gyms in mid-July as they miss out on latest lockdown easing plan
The Government has an “aspiration” to re-open gyms and other indoor leisure centres in mid-July, the Culture Secretary has said.
Oliver Dowden declares ‘football’s coming back’ as competitive sport can resume behind closed doors
Coronavirus
Oliver Dowden declares ‘football’s coming back’ as competitive sport can resume behind closed doors
From Monday elite athletes will be able to resume competitive sport behind closed doors in England for the first time in three months.
Coronavirus: Government complains to BBC over Panorama show on PPE amid political bias claims
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Government complains to BBC over Panorama show on PPE amid political bias claims
The Government has formally complained to the BBC over its Panorama programme exposing problems with the supply of protective equipment to frontline NHS staff.