Andrew Snowden MP: written questions
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
1829 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Batteries: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department has made on providing £1.5 billion funding to new gigafactories.
Answer: The Government has put batteries and electric vehicles at the heart of the Modern Industrial Strategy including by allocating £4 billion to 2035 for the DRIVE35 programme. DRIVE35 is supporting investment in an end-to-end EV supply chain, including gigafa...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration: EnforcementHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress the government is making to establish a returns and enforcement unit, with an additional 1,000 staff.
Answer: Since July 2024, the Home Office has focussed on the return of failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders whom the system was previously unable to progress. To support this work, the Home Office redeployed 1,000 full-time equivalen...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Instruction: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent formal consultation his Department has undertaken with Approved Driving Instructors and their representative bodies regarding the standards check system.
Answer: When the current standards checks system was implemented in 2014, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducted a full consultation. The system has not changed and, therefore, there has been no formal consultation since those changes. The curre...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Instruction: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the fairness and accuracy of the current standards check system for Approved Driving Instructors.
Answer: When the current standards checks system was implemented in 2014, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conducted a full consultation. The system has not changed and, therefore, there has been no formal consultation since those changes. The curre...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: LancashireMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 908More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out a timetable for local government reorganisation in Lancashire.
Answer: The government remains committed to the indicative timetable published in July 2025. Proposals for Lancashire were received by 28 November 2025 and were subject to statutory consultation from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026. The Secretary of State is con...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the equity of the pay gap between further education college lecturers and school teachers.
Answer: The statutory requirements for maintained schoolteachers' pay are set nationally subject to recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body. In 2024/25, the median full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for classroom teachers in secondary schools was £50...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: VATTreasuryTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 699More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate she has made of the total annual VAT payments by further education colleges in England.
Answer: Education services supplied by an “eligible body” are exempt from VAT. For VAT purposes, an “eligible body” broadly refers to most regulated, publicly funded, or not-for-profit education providers. This means no VAT is charged on supplies of education mad...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate her Department has made of the effect on further education colleges of increased student enrolments not being fully funded until the following financial year.
Answer: Institutions receive funding for all their students on a lagged approach, meaning the funding in each academic year is based on the number of students in the previous year. This allows the department to issue firm allocations to institutions well in advan...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncillors: EmploymentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the number of elected councillors without the right to work in the UK.
Answer: The Department does not record this data and has no plans to make this assessment.The right to work in the UK is not an explicit qualification or disqualification criteria for English local government candidacy or membership. The Electoral Commission publ...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: PolygamyHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claims were granted to people in polygamous marriages in each of the last 12 months.
Answer: It is government policy to prevent the formation of polygamous and polyandrous marriages in the UK. Only one spouse can be included as a dependant, with any subsequent spouses being unable to apply as a partner unless the other spouse has died or the marr...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: PolygamyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of benefits payments to spouses in polygamous marriages (i) made in the past 12 months and (ii) expected to be made in the forthcoming 12 months.
Answer: The most recent published data (August 2025) from the Housing Benefit Single Housing Extract (SHBE) indicates that there are fewer than ten households where claimants are recorded as being in a polygamous marriage formed in another country. In these excep...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordEyesight: TestingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of excluding independent optometry practices from participation in publicly funded eyesight testing schemes on local economic activity.
Answer: National Health Service sight testing contracts can be held by specific individuals, including those practising in partnerships or corporate bodies meeting the requirements set out in The General Ophthalmic Services Contracts Regulations 2008.The commissi...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordOphthalmic Services: Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of long-term patient relationships in community optometry on continuity of eye care for elderly patients.
Answer: We recognise the value of providing care closer to people’s homes, including community optometry, which can support more personalised care and more continuity of care.Integrated care boards are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local pop...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving: EyesightDepartment for TransportTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers through an (a) exclusive and (b) centralised contracting model on independent community optometry
Answer: The consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers closed on 11 May. The Department for Transport is currently analysing the responses, and the government response will be published once that is complete. The logistical arrangeme...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMobile Phones: Public PlacesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable mobile network coverage during large public gatherings and events.
Answer: There is a widespread and dynamic commercial market for providing mobile coverage to gatherings and events in permanent indoor sites such as stadiums, and for providing short-term solutions for special outdoor events in temporary locations.Connectivity so...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordOlly RobbinsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128144More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Olly Robbins will be granted a period of gardening leave.
Answer: The Government does not comment on the individual terms and conditions of employment or personnel matters relating to individual civil servants.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUndocumented MigrantsHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128141More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to question 125257 of 16 April 2026 on Undocumented Migrants, how she plans to update hon. Members on those figures; and over what time intervals.
Answer: We are continuously monitoring and evaluating the agreement with France to ensure its effectiveness. There will be a full evaluation at the end of the pilot, and the Home Office is committed to publishing further data at the end of the pilot period.
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: Temporary AccommodationHome OfficeTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127895More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to issue guidance to the public on the location of illegal migrants who have been moved out of hotel accommodation.
Answer: All asylum seekers residing in a closing hotel will be provided with alternative suitable accommodation. Moves are coordinated by Home Office accommodation providers, and options may include dispersed accommodation, alternative contingency sites, or large...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordInsecticides: RegulationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127894More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with stakeholders, including the British Veterinary Association, the RSPCA, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, on proposed changes to the regulation of paras
Answer: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) leads the cross‑government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group and is engaging with stakeholders on the environmental risks of flea and tick treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid. Engagement ...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPark Homes: SalesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to question 39735 of 27 Mar 2025 on Park Homes, what further engagement he has had with the sector in relation to the commission on the sale of park homes.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115901 on 9 March 2026.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPark Homes: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce measures to cap or regulate service charges imposed by park home site operators.
Answer: The government has no current plans to legislate to prevent the use of terms in agreements requiring park home residents to pay variable service charges, but we will keep the matter under review.
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFirst-tier Tribunal: Park HomesMinistry of JusticeTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127889More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the First-tier Tribunal in resolving park home disputes.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber in resolving park home disputes. However, the Ministry of Justice regularly considers the performance of tribunals more widely. Statistics are published ...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPark HomesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulatory framework governing park homes in England.
Answer: The government is committed to strengthening protections for park home residents and improving the standards of park home site management. We will continue to keep the relevant legislation under review. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers giv...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPark HomesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support park home residents.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 115901 on 9 March 2026, UIN 63787 on 4 July 2025, UIN 114577 on 2 March 2026, UIN 110494 on 11 February 2026, and UIN 110492 on 11 February 2026.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMidwives: North WestDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of vacancies for newly qualified midwives in the North West of England.
Answer: The Department does not hold information on the number of vacancies for newly qualified midwives in the Northwest of England.
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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