Gareth Snell MP: written questions 2026
155 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Retail 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 recordCeramics: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support is available to the ceramics manufacturing sector to mitigate the cost of industrial gas.
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 recordEnergy Intensive Industries: TaxationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the value of exemptions from green levies provided to energy-intensive industries in 2025-26.
Answer: The Department has not published an estimate of the value of “exemptions from green levies” provided to energy‑intensive industries in 2025–26. However, the published impact assessment for the British Industry Supercharger—which includes reliefs from cert...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Intensive Industries: ElectricityDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the British Industry Supercharger scheme.
Answer: Since 1 April 2024, eligible Energy-Intensive Industries have benefited from the British Industry Supercharger, which tackles carbon leakage by bringing industrial electricity costs closer in line with those in neighbouring countries. Subsequent evidence ...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGambling and Video Games: RegulationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Financial Risk Assessments on tax revenues from the regulated betting and gaming sector.
Answer: The Government remains committed to supporting the implementation of key measures in the 2023 white paper, including the introduction of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). Following the conclusion of its pilot on FRAs, the Gambling Commission has continue...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGambling: RegulationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Financial Risk Assessments on consumer migration to the unregulated gambling market.
Answer: The Government remains committed to supporting the implementation of key measures in the 2023 white paper, including the introduction of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). Following the conclusion of its pilot on FRAs, the Gambling Commission has continue...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: IndustryMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of increased industrial energy prices on his Department's ability to deliver the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence recognises the potential impact of rising industrial energy prices on the Department and the wider economy. The Government remains committed to supporting the defence sector to ensure the successful delivery of its strategic object...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Intensive Industries: FinanceTreasuryTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122192More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on additional funding for extending the UK Supercharger Scheme.
Answer: The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on a range of topics.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesTreasuryTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122191More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of industrial energy prices on economic growth.
Answer: We know high energy costs are one of the greatest challenges facing industry and is a key barrier to growth in the UK. In the Modern Industrial Strategy, we announced the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which will reduce electricity costs b...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: PricesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the price of wholesale gas on the viability of energy intensive industries.
Answer: This Government is aware of the impact of gas costs on energy-intensive industries and that current energy support schemes only subsidise the cost of electricity for eligible electricity-intensive businesses. My officials regularly engage with trade assoc...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAerials: Planning PermissionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department’s consultation entitled Reforming planning rules to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure will consider increasing permitted width upgrades to existing
Answer: The call for evidence, Reforming planning rules to accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure, closed on 26 February 2026 and was jointly led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Lo...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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