Oral Answers to Questions

Marie Tidball Excerpts

Wednesday 25th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dr Marie Tidball (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

Q5.   May I thank the Prime Minister for the £35 million of funding, announced this week, to transform the Crucible theatre and keep the world—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want to hear the hon. Member’s question, as do those who are interested in snooker.

[Dr Tidball]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. May I thank the Prime Minister for the £35 million of funding to transform the Crucible theatre and keep the world snooker championship at the heart of Sheffield? I want my constituents to be able to enjoy this fantastic tournament, day and night, and to travel in by tram-train from Stocksbridge to Sheffield via Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side and Deepcar. I am grateful to our South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, for kick-starting these plans. Will the Prime Minister work with me and the South Yorkshire Mayor to ensure that we get spades in the ground for a tram-train extension to Stocksbridge as soon as possible, so that my constituents can enjoy the snooker?

[The Prime Minister]

I see that Reform Members have walked out. They obviously realise that they are absolutely snookered. [Hon. Members: “More!”]