Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
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 objectives despite these economic challenges and continues to make progress in delivering the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
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 ground-based mobile masts alongside proposed increases to permitted height upgrades.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
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 Local Government. It sought views on a range of proposals to reform planning rules in England to support investment in, and the rollout of, digital infrastructure.
These proposals focused on expanding permitted development rights for digital infrastructure such as ground-based masts, rooftop equipment and fibre exchanges, as well as extending the period for temporary deployment without planning permission. This included proposals to increase the height of ground-based masts, including monopoles, currently permitted under prior approval.
As part of the review of responses, we will assess the evidence received, including where it may relate to limits on infrastructure size permitted under existing planning regulations, to inform ongoing policy development in this area. Subject to the evidence, we will determine next steps, which may include consulting on draft measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward legislation.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
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.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on a range of topics.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of industrial energy prices on economic growth.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
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 by c.£35-40/MWh up to 2030 and support thousands of businesses.
This forms part of a wider package of support to industry.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
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.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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 associations and industry groups, including the Energy Intensive Users Group, to ensure that their concerns are heard and inform potential policy support for gas costs in future.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available for schools wanting to transition into co-operative academies.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
As set out in the Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper, we are placing collaboration at the heart of the system by moving to all schools being part of school trusts, which are rooted in their community and equipped to innovate for all children. To help achieve this, we have committed to working with the sector to update co-operative school trust model articles of association, so this model can effectively support purposeful, diverse and large-scale collaboration.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central of 24 November 2025 with case reference GS06761.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office responded to the hon. Member on 3 December 2025. This reply has been resent on 3 February 2026.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with her Gibraltarian counterpart on the potential impact of the new Remote Betting Duty on the Gibraltarian economy.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Increasing gambling duties will raise over £1 billion per year to support the public finances and forms part of our ambition to create a fair, modern and sustainable tax system.
The Government understands that Gibraltar has a gambling industry that faces the UK, and engaged with representatives of the Government of Gibraltar following the Budget and will continue to monitor all impacts of these changes.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is her Department's policy that people in Kashmir have the right to self determination.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is the UK's long-standing policy that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support investment into the UK's economic security.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Modern Industrial Strategy committed to strengthen our economic security through several steps, including through our uplift in defence spending, and strategic investments in critical sectors. The government is prioritising economic security and resilience through our public finance offer, with Public Financial Institutions and interventions working together to direct more investment at strategic sectors and supply chains. This includes the British Business Bank’s £4billion additional capital for Industrial Strategy sectors that will be the future cornerstone of the UK’s supply chains and security, and committing up to £330million to the expansion of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund, which invests into advanced dual-use technology companies to support the National Security and Defence community and start-ups across the country.