Andrew Snowden MP: written questions
702 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Night-time Economy: HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to protect long-standing (a) cultural and (b) night-time economy venues from (i) closure and (ii) restrictions due to new residential developm
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework provides strong protections to ensure that new residential development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities. It sets out that existing businesses and facilities should not h...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBeerDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of allowing tenanted pubs in England and Wales to purchase beer directly from small producers.
Answer: The government is currently completing an exercise to understand whether there are any barriers to market for small brewers. This exercise covers all pub models. Interested parties can contact beermarketreview@businessandtrade.gov.uk.The government is sep...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBeer: SalesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of adopting the Guest Beer Agreement scheme introduced in Scotland.
Answer: Hospitality businesses, including pubs and independent breweries, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.The government wishes to see small brewers retain and expand their access to UK pubs, m...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel Payment: Means-tested BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using of AI to support its processes for means testing for the winter fuel payment.
Answer: The Government wants to ensure a wider range of pensioners in England and Wales receive Winter Fuel Payment in future, while recognising public finance constraints and the fact that making payments to the highest income pensioners is hard to justify. From...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian InfluenzaDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve communication with (a) bird keepers and (b) the public during avian influenza outbreaks.
Answer: Supporting bird keepers, the public and conservation bodies to manage and prepare for avian influenza continues to be one of Defra’s main priorities. Defra and the Devolved Governments have several lines of communication to bird keepers and the public. Ea...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian InfluenzaDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide (a) support and (b) resources for (i) small-scale and (ii) backyard bird keepers to help ensure their compliance with avian influenza sur
Answer: Supporting bird keepers, the public and conservation bodies to manage and prepare for avian influenza continues to be one of Defra’s main priorities. Defra and the Devolved Governments have several lines of communication to bird keepers and the public. Ea...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian InfluenzaDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what metrics his Department uses to assess the effectiveness of routine avian influenza surveillance systems in detecting early outbreaks of H5N1.
Answer: Our avian influenza surveillance programmes are line with international standards of best practice and requirements for disease surveillance set out by the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code. In addition to our statutory...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric BicyclesDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to implement a cross-Government strategy on tackling illegally modified electr
Answer: The Department believes a cross-Government strategy on illegally modified e-cycles is not needed. E-cycles, including those that have been modified, can only be legally used on the roads where they comply in full with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record6G: AerialsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on the proportion of 6G mast hardware that is expected to be produced in the UK; and what steps his Department is taking to support UK-based 6G mas
Answer: The development of 6G technology is still in its early stages and as a result DSIT does not yet hold any information on the proportion of 6G mast hardware that is expected to be produced in the UK.The Government is actively working with industry through R...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record6G: InfrastructureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure the (a) security and (b) resilience of 6G infrastructure against potential (i) cyber threats and (ii) foreign interference.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring the security and resilience of the UK's telecommunications infrastructure. The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 introduced a robust security framework throughout the United Kingdom and requires public telecoms...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironmental Impact AssessmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what environmental impact assessments are required prior to the installation of 6G infrastructure.
Answer: The Government has not yet made any formal decision on what environmental impact assessments may be needed prior to the installation of 6G infrastructure. 6G technology will not be deployed until the 2030s based on current development and standardisation ...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Health Security Agency: 6GDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance the Health Security Agency has issued on the potential impact of 6G masts on health.
Answer: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides advice on any potential health risks and protection from exposure to the radio waves from telecommunications systems, including those planned to provide 6G services. Further information is available at the fo...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record6G: AerialsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions his Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) people living in areas in which 6G masts are proposed on the (i) location and (ii) visual impact of those mast
Answer: The Government has not yet had discussions with local authorities or residents on the location of any 6G infrastructure to date. 6G technology will not be deployed in the UK or elsewhere until the 2030s based on current industry development and standardis...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record6G: InfrastructureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local planning authorities on the installation of 6G masts.
Answer: The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. We expect 6G technologies to be available from the early 2030s.Th...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian Influenza: LancashireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer 5 June 2025 to Question 56531 on Avian Influenza: Lancashire, whether his Department has provided discretionary financial assistance to poultry producers indirec
Answer: This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. Whilst the economic impact of an outbreak of avian influenza...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian Influenza: LancashireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58092More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer 5 June 2025 to Question 56531 on Avian Influenza: Lancashire, what steps his Department is taking to help support poultry producers in areas at risk of avian inf
Answer: This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. Whilst the economic impact of an outbreak of avian influenza...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAvian Influenza: LancashireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer 5 June 2025 to Question 56531 on Avian Influenza: Lancashire, whether his Department has modelled the potential impact of a confirmed outbreak of avian influenza
Answer: This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. Whilst the economic impact of an outbreak of avian influenza...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58090More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 on the provision of NHS services in (a
Answer: The Supreme Court’s ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers. We expect all public service bodies to act on the clarity that the ruli...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: SalesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, what plans his Department has to improve consumer awareness of the legal requirements for electric bikes and the ris
Answer: As part of DBT's programme of activity tackling unsafe e-bikes and associated products, last October I launched a consumer awareness campaign Buy Safe, Be Safe to encourage consumers to buy safe e-bikes from reputable sellers; to only use manufacturer rec...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: SalesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, what estimate he has made of the number of illegally modified electric bikes removed from sale by (a) Trading Standa
Answer: Under UK product safety regulations, businesses are responsible for ensuring the products they supply comply with all relevant legal requirements. The Office for Product Safety and Standards published a regulatory activity update for e-bikes in January wh...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: SalesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58087More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of enforcement action taken by Local Authority Trading Standa
Answer: Under product safety regulations, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and Local Authority Trading Standards (LATS) have powers to remove unsafe products or prevent them entering the UK. In 2023-2024, 2.4m goods, including e-bikes, were deni...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGardens: Community DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to increase the impact of (a) Britain in Bloom and (b) regional in bloom contests on communities.
Answer: Britain in Bloom has a huge impact upon our local environments and communities, inspiring thousands to get involved in their community. It is one of many excellent initiatives to create better access to green spaces for all sections of society. Whilst we ...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGardens: Community DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to protect community gardens.
Answer: Community gardens make a great contribution to the health, wellbeing and spirit of communities.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that open space should not be built on unless there is clear evidence it is no longer required, or equiva...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: Anti-social BehaviourHome OfficeTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training is provided to police officers to help (a) identify and (b) handle illegally modified e-bikes.
Answer: The training provided to police officers to help identity and handle illegally modified e-bikes is an operational matter for Chief Officers of police forces.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: Road Traffic OffencesDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, whether her Department plans to amend the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 to reflect (a) m
Answer: The Department consulted on potential changes to regulations on e-cycles in 2024. The Government’s response to that consultation was published in January 2025 and can be viewed here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/smarter-regulation-proposed-changes-...
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →