Business of the House

Andrew Snowden Excerpts

Thursday 8th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this matter, because the Government made it clear before the Christmas recess that we intend to introduce a fuel finder scheme. It happens in other countries, and it can happen in this country. I am not sure of the date of introduction, but I will arrange for my hon. Friend to have a meeting with the relevant Minister, so that he can express his concerns and perhaps find out from Ministers what the timescale is.

[Mr Andrew Snowden (Fylde) (Con)]

Twelve out of the 15 constituencies in Lancashire benefited from the Pride in Place scheme, I believe, but people may not be surprised to learn that Fylde, the only Conservative constituency in Lancashire, was not on the list. We will not let that deter us, however, because we have pride in our place and ambitions for it, whether that be the pier link, the Island site in St Annes, the public realm improvements we want to make in Lytham and Poulton, or reopening the derelict Kirkham baths. Can we have a statement from the Government about how those areas that have been left behind and are not in the Pride in Place scheme can attract investment to continue to improve their towns and villages?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Improvement in local areas is not dependent on the Pride in Place scheme, but will be significantly helped by it. I am not entirely surprised that not that many Conservative constituencies or authorities are in the scheme, because there are not many of them left after the general election. The hon. Gentleman is doing exactly the right thing: he is raising concerns on behalf of his constituents about how best they can improve their area. My advice to him is that if he wants to hear from Ministers about our ambitions for every area—we are ambitious for every area—he should seek an Adjournment debate, make his points there, and see what the Minister has to say.