Gareth Snell MP: written questions
196 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food and Drinks: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128786More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available to the food and drink sector to transition to low-carbon refrigeration.
Answer: Improving the energy efficiency of energy‑related products is an important part of the Government’s journey to Net Zero. The Energy Technology List is a government‑backed scheme featuring around 8,000 independently verified and accredited energy‑efficient...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy in the level of availability of private sector green finance for business energy efficiency projects.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of green finance as it is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors of a low carbon economy.The British Business Bank’s Green Growth Guarantee helps increase the supply of affordable finance for businesses investing i...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: HeatingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help decrease the capital costs for businesses moving from gas to electric heating systems.
Answer: The government recognises that capital costs are a significant barrier for businesses looking to electrify. The government remains committed to supporting electrification for the non-domestic sector and addressing barriers to investment. Eligible business...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of effectiveness of the role of smart meters in helping businesses manage energy (a) demand and (b) costs.
Answer: Smart meters are being rolled out to small businesses across GB, with 67% of non-domestic meters upgraded by the end of 2025.Non-Domestic consumers with smart meters are expected to reduce their energy consumption by between 2.8% (electricity) and 4.5% (g...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustry: Carbon Emissions and EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to increase funding for the Industrial Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Roadmaps.
Answer: The government is providing significant funding to catalyse progress on industrial decarbonisation, including £9.4 billion in capital funding for carbon capture, usage and storage and £500 million to support hydrogen infrastructure. We are also continuing...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Renewable EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128781More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help micro-businesses invest in onsite renewable energy generation.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of green finance as it is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors of a low carbon economy.The British Business Bank’s Green Growth Guarantee helps increase the supply of affordable finance for businesses investing i...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustrial Energy Transformation FundDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the take-up of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.
Answer: DESNZ has assessed the adequacy of take-up of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) through the Evaluation of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (alongside the IETF Benefit Report), published on 29th of January 2026. The evaluation found...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Premises: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support his Department is providing to businesses to improve the energy efficiency of commercial premises.
Answer: The Government is providing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, increasing each year to 2029/30. Currently, the grant available for air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps is £7500 and for air-to-air heat pumps is £2500. A one-year increase ...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the impact of standing charges on the total energy costs of small businesses.
Answer: The Government recognises that standing charges can be a significant concern for some businesses. Ofgem is conducting a holistic review of how energy system costs, including network costs, should be paid for in the future, as part of its Cost Allocation a...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128266More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that energy suppliers pass on price reductions to business customers in a timely manner.
Answer: The government recognises that high electricity prices are a significant pressure on businesses and a barrier to investment and growth. The only way to bring electricity bills down sustainably is by reducing the UK’s exposure to volatile fossil fuel marke...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of energy costs on the competitiveness of the UK retail sector.
Answer: The government keeps the impact of energy costs on the competitiveness of the UK retail sector under review.Through our Clean Power 2030 mission we are taking action to accelerate the transition to clean, homegrown electricity helping to improve energy se...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Bills Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128264More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to introduce a successor scheme to the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
Answer: Just as we are looking across Government at the situation that households face, the Government is absolutely focused on the impact of the crisis on business and industry, and we will not hesitate to act. We will continue to monitor the situation and consi...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128263More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the regional distribution of energy cost support for businesses in the West Midlands of England.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade manages two energy cost support schemes, the British Industry Supercharger and the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme, to support eligible energy-intensive industries with the indirect costs of emissions ...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128262More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the impact of energy price volatility on business insolvency rates.
Answer: Business insolvency rates over the last year are shown below.PeriodTotal Company InsolvenciesMar 20251,995Apr 20252,058May 20252,216Jun 20252,033Jul 20252,058Aug 20252,015Sep 20251,964Oct 20252,006Nov 20251,848Dec 20251,686Jan 20261,759Feb 20261,895Mar 20...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128261More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the average saving per business under current energy support packages.
Answer: Currently the Department for Business and Trade runs two energy support schemes. The British Industry Supercharger saves eligible businesses on average approximately £65 – £87/MWh on their electricity costs. The Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Sc...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128260More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending energy cost support for hospitality businesses.
Answer: The Government recognises the pressures that energy costs can place on hospitality businesses. We engage regularly with colleagues across Government, including HM Treasury, on measures to support businesses, including the hospitality sector and we keep th...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Bills Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many businesses have received support under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme since its inception.
Answer: Just as we are looking across Government at the situation that households face, the Government is absolutely focused on the impact of the crisis on business and industry, and we will not hesitate to act. We will continue to monitor the situation and consi...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Energy Bills Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128258More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Answer: Just as we are looking across Government at the situation that households face, the Government is absolutely focused on the impact of the crisis on business and industry, and we will not hesitate to act. We will continue to monitor the situation and consi...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustry: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the cumulative impact of network charges on industrial energy users.
Answer: Network charges are set by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem. As part of setting price controls under its RIIO‑3 Final Determinations, Ofgem carried out an impact assessment considering the overall effect of its decisions on consumers, including ind...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGlass: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the glass manufacturing industry with gas energy prices.
Answer: I recognise the pressure that gas prices place on glass manufacturers. While there is no dedicated scheme for industrial gas price relief, my Department keeps support for energy-intensive industries under review. Many glass manufacturers are eligible for ...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordExports: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the energy-related costs of UK exporters.
Answer: Charges under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for relevant goods entering the EU Single Market have applied since January 2026. UK businesses may face costs supporting EU importers to comply with the EU CBAM. The obligation to purchase EU...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Intensive Industries: Energy Bills Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to reopen the Energy Bills Discount Scheme for energy and trade intensive industries.
Answer: Just as we are looking across Government at the situation that households face, the Government is absolutely focused on the impact of the crisis on business and industry, and we will not hesitate to act. We will continue to monitor the situation and consi...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCeramics: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what meetings and discussions his Department has had with the ceramics industry regarding energy cost relief.
Answer: I recognise the pressure that energy costs place on ceramics manufacturers. A small number of ceramic firms are currently eligible for the British Industry Supercharger, which provides electricity cost relief and these companies are benefiting from the re...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordManufacturing Industries: EnergyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128252More
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 retention of manufacturing jobs in the West Midlands.
Answer: The Government recognises that energy costs are an important factor in the competitiveness of manufacturing businesses and in the retention of skilled jobs, including in the West Midlands. From April 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme wil...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChemicals: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support is available to the chemical manufacturing sector to mitigate the cost of industrial gas.
Answer: The Government does not currently provide support for the cost of industrial gas, including to the chemicals sector. However, we are continuing to work with industry in order to identify and explore ways in which the business environment can be improved f...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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