Gareth Snell MP: written questions
196 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Energy: PricesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to consult with British Chambers of Commerce on the design of future energy cost mitigation policies.
Answer: The Government is committed to working closely with industry to support business competitiveness and mitigate energy costs and regularly meets with business representative organisations, such as the British Chambers of Commerce. The design of the British ...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on the survival of high-street independent retailers.
Answer: Through our Clean Power 2030 mission we are taking action to accelerate the transition to clean, homegrown electricity helping to improve energy security and reduce exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices across of the UK economy. Alongside this,...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on business investment in the agricultural sector.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Intensive IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK’s "Clean Energy Superpower" mission reduces costs for gas-intensive businesses by 2030.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordManufacturing Industries: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129210More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of high energy costs on the R&D budgets of manufacturing firms.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the number of businesses that have relocated production overseas due to energy costs in the last 24 months.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this information. We continue to support UK businesses and have many avenues through which businesses of all sizes can explore opportunities to grow internationally. We will continue to review how we can...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Foreign Investment in UKDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on the UK’s attractiveness for Foreign Direct Investment.
Answer: We understand the scale and depth of challenge that high industrial electricity prices present to businesses. This is why we are addressing wholesale and network costs through long‑term investment in clean, homegrown power to reduce exposure to volatile f...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPorts: EnergyDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that port infrastructure has access to affordable energy for shore-side power projects.
Answer: The Government is taking action to reform the grid connections process to ensure port infrastructure, such as shore power, can access the energy they need for maritime. In addition, the Government is currently considering policy options to accelerate conn...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordStorage: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department provides to cold-storage logistics providers to manage peak-time energy tariffs.
Answer: Government recognises the importance of electrification of transport, including heavy goods vehicles, in delivering transport decarbonisation targets, and is aware of the impact that energy costs are having on different sectors, including logistics.Govern...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLarge Goods Vehicles: Electric VehiclesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on energy costs associated with the electrification of commercial heavy goods vehicle fleets.
Answer: Government recognises the importance of electrification of transport, including heavy goods vehicles, in delivering transport decarbonisation targets, and is aware of the impact that energy costs are having on different sectors, including logistics.Govern...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on the viability of the data centre industry.
Answer: The Government recognises that UK electricity prices and grid connection delays are barriers to investment. The only sustainable way to reduce electricity bills is by reducing the UK’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, which is why industrial ener...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Supply: Industrial EstatesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the development of private wire networks for industrial parks to reduce transmission costs.
Answer: Network regulation and charging arrangements are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. The Government’s role is to ensure Ofgem has the appropriate framework to make decisions in the interests of consumers. While private wire arrangements may r...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BusinessDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken for grid connection on the ability of businesses to lower energy costs through onsite generation.
Answer: Following Ofgem’s decision to increase the threshold for generation requiring a transmission impact assessment from 1MW to 5MW in England and Wales[1], it is now quicker and cheaper for businesses customers to install onsite generation. Ofgem’s Connection...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Supply: CompetitionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to encourage more competition in the commercial energy supply market.
Answer: We are building on the outcomes of Ofgem’s 2024 report into the non-domestic market, and subsequent actions to improve practices: Non-domestic market review: decision | Ofgem The Government and Ofgem continuously monitor the non-domestic energy market to ...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with the Energy Ombudsman regarding the volume of business energy complaints.
Answer: The Secretary of State meets regularly with a wide range of stakeholders, where they discuss a variety of issues. Small businesses have been able to access the Energy Ombudsman since December 2024. Ofgem’s Complaints Handling Standards require energy supp...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Small BusinessesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128800More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Microbusiness Protection Rules implemented by Ofgem.
Answer: Consumer protection rules are a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator. The Department continues to work closely with them to take forward the recommendations from the 2024 Non-Domestic Market Review, such as expanding access to the Energy Ombudsm...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128799More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to improve transparency in the wholesale energy costs passed on to commercial tenants.
Answer: Energy re-sold to non-domestic tenants is a commercial matter between those two businesses dependent on their contract terms. Landlords in these situations have a legal duty to regularly inform their tenants of how much energy they have used and the price...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNew Businesses: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128798More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of security deposit requirements on the cash flow of new start-up businesses.
Answer: Security deposits are common in commercial leases. Contractual terms, such as security deposits, are a private matter to be negotiated between parties. However, we would always advise that, where possible, parties seek advice before agreeing to any terms....
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128797More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to introduce a statutory Business Energy Consumer Code.
Answer: Ofgem is the independent regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain. Ofgem’s regulatory regime sets out the requirements which non-domestic energy suppliers are required to adhere to. This includes a requirement that non-domestic consumers...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help protect small businesses from aggressive debt recovery practices by energy suppliers.
Answer: The government’s primary focus is on ensuring energy is affordable for all businesses, and that the right protections are in place for them in the energy market. Suppliers and their representatives must follow strict rules regarding debt recovery practice...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the prevalence of deemed rates being charged to businesses without fixed-term energy contracts.
Answer: Ofgem data, as of 31 March, shows that around 10–12% of businesses are on deemed contracts: Managing business energy costs in an uncertain market | Ofgem. Under Ofgem’s regulations suppliers must take all reasonable steps to ensure the terms of deemed con...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128794More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help prevent energy brokers from charging excessive hidden commissions to business clients.
Answer: Since 2024, Ofgem’s requirement for a contract’s principal terms to clearly display any broker fees has applied to all non-domestic consumers. However, the Government is aware that some rogue brokers continue to exploit consumers through excessive hidden ...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem regarding the regulation of the non-domestic energy market.
Answer: The Government and Ofgem continuously monitor the non-domestic energy market to ensure that good outcomes are being delivered for all consumers. Recently, the Secretary of State and Ofgem’s Interim CEO wrote to non-domestic supplires and Third-Party Inter...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: ConservationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve the application process for energy efficiency grants.
Answer: The Department is improving the application process for energy efficiency grants by simplifying access and providing clearer guidance across schemes. Under the Government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, we are streamlining delivery of the Warm Homes: Local...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: Waste Heat RecoveryDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the potential energy savings for the hospitality sector through the adoption of heat recovery systems.
Answer: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) does not hold an estimation of heat recovery potential specific to the hospitality sector, though in 2014 the Department of Energy and Climate Change published research on the potential for recoverin...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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