Election data comes from UK Parliament. Turnout percentage is calculated by Project Open Gov from Parliament's turnout and electorate figures.
People and place
A population and household snapshot for West Dorset, using validated House of Commons Library constituency datasets.
Estimated population96,334
EstimateMid-2024 estimate
Region / nationSouth West
Age profile
0 to 1716.5% · 15,895 people
18 to 245.2% · 4,985 people
25 to 348.3% · 8,041 people
35 to 4914.3% · 13,760 people
50 to 6422.4% · 21,602 people
65 and over33.3% · 32,051 people
Population figures are mid-2024 estimates from the House of Commons Library. Project Open Gov calculates the estimated population shown above by summing the six published age-band counts. View population source ↗
Home ownership and renting
Housing tenure shows how households in this constituency described their home at the most recent census.
43,223 householdsCensus 2021
Home owners67.5% · 29,195 households
Private renters17.0% · 7,353 households
Social renters14.2% · 6,143 households
Other tenure1.2% · 532 households
“Other tenure” combines shared ownership and households recorded as living rent free.
Housing-tenure figures come from the most recent census: 2021 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2022 in Scotland. View housing-tenure source ↗
Household composition
A broad view of household types in this constituency. Project Open Gov uses the four broad groups supplied by the Commons Library so the presentation remains consistent across the UK.
43,224 householdsCensus 2021
One-person households33.0% · 14,268 households
Families with dependent children20.3% · 8,753 households
Other single-family households43.8% · 18,947 households
Other household types2.9% · 1,256 households
Household-composition figures come from the Commons Library constituency dataset. The source uses census data and Project Open Gov displays its broad household groups rather than attempting to harmonise the detailed categories itself. View household-composition source ↗
Disability and day-to-day activities
The source records whether day-to-day activities are limited and uses separate person-level tables for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
93,589 people in the source baseCensus 2021Source comparison: England & Wales
Day-to-day activities limited a lot7.6% · 7,074 people
Day-to-day activities limited a little12.4% · 11,567 people
Not disabled under the Equality Act80.1% · 74,948 people
Comparison note: the workbook uses different source terminology across the UK: England & Wales uses “Disabled under the Equality Act”, while Scotland and Northern Ireland use “Disabled” / “Non-disabled”. Project Open Gov therefore preserves the source categories and does not present them as one single like-for-like UK legal definition.
Disability figures come from the Commons Library constituency workbook. This profile uses the person-level tables only; the workbook also contains separate household-level disability tables which are not used here. View disability source ↗
This constituency in Parliament
A high-confidence subset of current-session parliamentary records from this constituency's current MP where the full constituency name is stated explicitly in the written question, debate title or recorded section.
This is not a complete record of every local issue raised in Parliament. Project Open Gov does not currently infer a constituency connection from the MP relationship alone, speech text, nearby place names or other local entities.
Written question16 July 2026
Written question 19728
Raised by Edward Morello MP
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impact of post-Grenfell building safety costs on leaseholders in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available to leaseholders in West Dorset facing costs associated with building safety remediation and compliance following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of occupational therapist prescribing rights on (a) reducing waiting times and (b) improving access to care in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of ambulance response times in rural constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2026 to Question 14261, how much funding her Department is providing under the Bus Service Operators Grant to West Dorset; and whether her Department plans to provide…
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of community transport on rural mobility in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of fire service coverage in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to prevent fire station closures in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of rail connectivity for rural constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with rail operators on service reliability caused by climate change affecting West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support seasonal hospitality businesses in rural constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of rising costs on hospitality businesses in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of tourism sector challenges facing hotels in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to review support available for rural pubs in constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what incentives his Department is providing to recruit and retain NHS dentists in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the condition of GP estate buildings in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase support for GP practices in rural communities in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the sustainability of community pharmacies in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to finance for micro businesses in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the challenges facing rural micro businesses in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to increase the use of sustainable drainage systems in new developments in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the time taken for full fibre rollout in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to increase the number of NHS dentists treating children in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of waiting times for children’s NHS dental appointments in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to NHS dentistry for children in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy prices on rural households in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help lower household energy costs in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to pharmacies serving rural communities in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the extent of discrepancies between reported and actual mobile signal coverage in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve mobile data coverage in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department’s policies of delays to full fibre rollout in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve broadband connectivity in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve mobile connectivity in hard-to-reach rural communities in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help lower household energy costs in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of energy prices on rural households in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the safety implications of low-flying Royal Navy helicopter operations over populated areas adjacent to West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the safety implications of low-flying Royal Navy helicopter operations over populated areas in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has undertaken a review of the frequency, altitude and safety of Royal Navy helicopter flights over residential areas in West Dorset in the last three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance is issued to Royal Navy helicopter crews on conducting training flights over civilian communities in West Dorset; and what steps are taken to minimise risks to residents.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of night-time Royal Navy helicopter activity on residents in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve communication with communities in West Dorset regarding planned night-time Royal Navy helicopter training exercises.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of online trends involving catapults on West Dorset consistency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of rising input costs on farms in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help support Dorset Police to tackle antisocial behaviour involving catapults in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with local education providers in West Dorset on skills and apprenticeship provision.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department’s policies of rural education challenges in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of rising fertiliser costs on farms in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help lower food costs for households in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the number of pubs that are currently operated under tenancy or lease agreements with pub-owning companies in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Section 25 notices have been issued by pub-owning companies to tenants in West Dorset constituency in each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department is providing to improve water quality in chalk streams in West Dorset constituency, including the River Frome, Wraxall Brook and West Compton Stream.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department is providing for chalk stream protection in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support salmon restoration projects in chalk streams, including the River Frome in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review funding formulas to change how they consider rural schools in constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with water companies on reducing storm overflow discharges in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of sewage discharges affecting rivers and coastal waters in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to increase funding for SEND provision in rural constituencies such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of waiting times for Education, Health and Care Plans on children in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of water quality on tourism in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the affordability of water bills in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with water companies on reducing water bills for households in West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate the potential impact of reduced fire cover on the level of insurance costs in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of fire station closures on the level of insurance costs in West Dorset constituen
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps her Department is taking to prevent the spread of harmful online content influencing antisocial behaviour in areas such as West Dorset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to discuss with EU Member States simplified visas for touring artists, including from West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department provides to artists and performers from West Dorset constituency seeking to tour in Europe.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department is taking steps to support owners of thatched homes facing increased insurance premiums in West Dorset constituency.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of changes in the level of insurance costs for thatched properties in West Dorset constituency in the last five years.
Open UK Government and Parliament petitions that have reached at least 10,000 signatures nationally, ranked here by the number of signatures recorded in this constituency.
Petition signatures are not a poll and do not show what the constituency as a whole thinks. A person can also sign more than one petition.
Open petitionCloses 1 October 2026
Hold a referendum to bring the water industry into public ownership
Signatures in this constituency590
Signatures nationally197,675
Government response published · Debate scheduled for 14 September 2026
Signature counts come from the official UK Government and Parliament petitions data and may change while a petition remains open. Browse official petitions ↗
Funding and local projects
National Lottery grants awarded to organisations recorded in this parliamentary constituency since 4 July 2024.
The constituency is based on the recipient organisation recorded in the source data. The funded activity may sometimes take place across a wider area.
Grants recorded97
Total awarded£6,332,572
Most recent awards
National Lottery grantAwarded 25 June 2026
Row Together: Getting inactive older adults into rowing
Bridport Gig Club Ltd
£13,440
Sport England · Sport
About this award
This project will purchase a new plastic GRP training gig to allow delivery of additional rowing sessions. Funds will be spent on the boat hull and rudder.
National Lottery grantAwarded 23 June 2026
Arts for Wellbeing at Bridport Community Shed
Bridport Community Shed
£12,155
The National Lottery Community Fund · Charitable and Community including Health, Education and Environment
About this award
Bridport Community Shed - Community - National Lottery Awards for All England
National Lottery grantAwarded 10 June 2026
Bridport Museum Unlocking Collections
The Museum Bridport Dorset
£27,800
Arts Council England · Arts
About this award
Bridport Museum Unlocking Collections - Museums - National Lottery Project Grants
National Lottery grantAwarded 10 June 2026
The Clearing new application
Little Toller Books
£26,000
Arts Council England · Arts
About this award
The Clearing new application - Literature - National Lottery Project Grants
National Lottery grantAwarded 10 June 2026
CF - Lighting Up Our Future
Sherborne Rugby Football Club Limited
£4,500
Sport England · Sport
About this award
This project will enable the club to purchase 2 flood light columns. This will enable the club to access additional training space. Funding will support the purchase and installation of the new lights.
92 more awards are available.
Source: DCMS National Lottery Grants Database. The figures shown cover awards from 4 July 2024 to 1 July 2026. View official grants data ↗
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