Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the hospitality industry in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.
The Government recently launched a licensing taskforce to reduce red tape and barriers that too often hold businesses back and intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value less than £500,000
Additionally, we recently announced a £1.5 million Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects that align with Department of Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council Priorities. I am working with Council Members to maximise the benefits of this funding.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department’s Request for input on potential UK measures in response to US tariffs, published on 3 April 2025, whether (a) lethal and (b) non-lethal police firearms are classified under CN8 code 93039000 as military weapons.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
We encourage responses to the request for input from all organisations that think their imports could be affected by any potential UK tariffs on a particular commodity code.
Lethal and non-lethal firearms under CN 93039000 are not classified as military weapons. Heading 9303 does not mention military weapons, military weapons are instead classified in the earlier headings, such as 9301 (9301 Military weapons, other than revolvers, pistols and the arms of heading 9307 (this heading covers semi-automatic firearms and rifles).
Organisations that have additional specific classification enquiries can be directed to the mailbox: classification.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of changes to employers National Insurance contributions on independent nightlife; and if he will make representations on the potential merits of scaled National Insurance contributions based on turnover.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We continue to work closely with HM Treasury on the challenges facing high street and other businesses including those within the nighttime economy.
The Government is protecting the smallest employers by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, and removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold, meaning all eligible employers benefit. This means that in 2025-26 865,000 employers will pay no National Insurance Contributions at all, and more than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package.
We are creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support high street businesses in Fylde.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this government. We are delivering across government to create better conditions for high street businesses to thrive. The new Crime and Policing Bill will give better protection for businesses and retail workers, including those in Fylde, against assault and theft. We have introduced High Street Rental Auction powers for local authorities and before Christmas we opened the 100th Banking Hub – providing essential banking services for businesses and high street users. At the Budget the Chancellor announced plans to work with industry to design a new business rates system.
Our Small Business Strategy, to be published later this year, will set out this Government’s plan for further supporting small businesses across key areas, including on the high street.
Within Fylde constituency, Kirkham is benefitting from £6.29m from the Future High Street Fund and £3.27m from High Street Heritage Action Zone funding. This will help Kirkham become a more vibrant destination through town centre regeneration, bringing benefits to businesses and residents in Fylde.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to reduce employment regulations for businesses in Fylde.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Plan to Make Work Pay is central to our Plan for Change to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for all. It will tackle low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security, creating long-term growth and investment to support businesses. We must ensure that our Plan works for all businesses. Insights gained from our ongoing engagement with businesses has been invaluable in developing proportionate, effective policy. Make Work Pay will increase workforce productivity and ensure a level playing field, so businesses trying to do the right thing, like those in Fylde, are not undercut.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce employment costs for businesses in Fylde.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Plan to Make Work Pay is central to our Plan for Change to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for all. It will tackle low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security, creating long-term growth and investment to support businesses. We must ensure that our Plan works for all businesses. Insights gained from our ongoing engagement with businesses has been invaluable in developing proportionate, effective policy. Make Work Pay will increase workforce productivity and ensure a level playing field, so businesses trying to do the right thing, like those in Fylde, are not undercut.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take step to help prevent non-crown Post Office closures in Fylde.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Government protects the sustainability of the branch network by providing funding on the basis that Post Office meets minimum access criteria for example including in Fylde, that across the country, 99% of the population live within three miles of their nearest Post Office. Government works to ensure Post Office Limited maintains a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with the published access criteria. Along with the annual £50 million subsidy, we have provided a further £37.5 million in December last year to safeguard services in the uncommercial parts of the network.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to help firms secure orders of Eurofighter Typhoon jets from international partners.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Exports of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets are led by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). My Department does however support MOD-led export campaigns through our network of staff in the UK and overseas. We also work closely with the Typhoon partner governments of Germany, Italy and Spain, in line with the commitments each nation has made to support the others' exports.
Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary was in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to discuss with Defence Ministers the future role that UK-made Typhoons could play in both countries.