Written questions by Snell.

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.

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.

What support is available for schools wanting to transition into co-operative academies.

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.

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.

The Home Office responded to the hon. Member on 3 December 2025. This reply has been resent on 3 February 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is her Department's policy that people in Kashmir have the right to self determination.

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.

What discussions she has had with her Gibraltarian counterpart on the potential impact of the new Remote Betting Duty on the Gibraltarian economy.

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.

What steps her Department is taking to support investment into the UK's economic security.

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.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the time taken for her Department to make a decision on Stoke-on-Trent's proposal to reduce Nitrous Oxide levels at the A500/Etruria Road junction.

The proposals by Stoke-on-Trent need careful consideration in order to understand how they support the requirement to achieve compliance with legal nitrogen dioxide limits in the shortest possible time.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she can name a date by which her department will have made a decision on Stoke-on-Trent City Council's proposals to reduce Nitrous Oxide levels at the A500/Etruria Road junction.

The Department has recently discussed with Stoke-on-Trent City Council a decision on their proposals to address nitrogen dioxide levels at Etruria Road. As the Minister for Water and Flooding, I have also recently discussed the position with the hon. Member. We will continue to engage with the local authority on next steps.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate has she made of the number of cider makers operating in the UK.

The National Association of Cider Makers, who represent the UK cider industry, estimate that there are 450 cider makers in the UK (2025/2026 Cider Manifesto). The Government celebrates the UK’s cider making traditions and recognises the industry’s important contribution to the UK’s economy.

What proportion of cider production is eligible for draught relief.

HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.

How many and what percentage of registered cider makers are eligible for small producer relief.

HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.

How much and what percentage of cider duty receipts do registered cider makers not eligible for small producer relief raise.

HMRC’s statistics on alcohol duty and reliefs are found here: Alcohol Bulletin - GOV.UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of cars used by ambassadors and embassy officials at UK embassies are manufactured by British manufacturers; and if she will provide a breakdown by manufacturer for each embassy.

The specific information requested is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and could only be collated for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost. However, it is the long-standing policy of the FCDO to buy British-made cars for use both in the UK and overseas, where they are readily available, represent value for money, and meet the necessary security requirements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of cars used by her Department in the UK were manufactured by a British manufacturer; and if she will provide a breakdown by manufacturer.

The specific information requested is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and could only be collated for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost. However, it is the long-standing policy of the FCDO to buy British-made cars for use both in the UK and overseas, where they are readily available, represent value for money, and meet the necessary security requirements.

Whether spare AAIs can be used on someone in an anaphylactic emergency if they do not have a previously diagnosed allergy.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

What the most up to date NHS advice is for the application of a second Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in an anaphylactic emergency.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

Whether a pharmacist can use an Adrenaline Auto-Injector from their pharmacy on someone having an anaphylactic emergency.

While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.

Whether the MHRA allows an AAI prescribed to someone else to be used on a person having an anaphylactic reaction.

Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines Regulation 2012 permits the administration of adrenaline by auto-injector for use in anaphylaxis for the purpose of saving a life. The regulation does not specifically provide for, or prevent the use of, an adrenaline auto-injector, supplied under a named prescription for another person, in an anaphylactic emergency.Regulation 235 and Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulation also permits the supply and administration of adrenaline without a prescription, including auto-injectors, to and by named categories of individuals that are suitably trained, and certain institutions and organisations, such as schools. The regulation does not prevent the use for administration of an auto-injector prescribed to someone else.

Whether a teacher is authorised to use a pupils' prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injector device on a different pupil in the event of an anaphylactic emergency.

Regulations allow, but do not mandate, schools to obtain and hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs). Since 1 October 2017, the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 has allowed all schools to purchase AAI devices without a prescription, for use in an emergency situation. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published non-statutory guidance to accompany this legislative change, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-emergency-adrenaline-auto-injectors-in-schools. This guidance gives advice to schools on the recognition and management of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis, and outlines when and how an AAI should be administered. The guidance states that children at risk of anaphylaxis should have their prescribed AAIs at school for use in an emergency, and that any AAIs held by a school should be considered a spare device, and not a replacement for a pupil’s own AAIs. The department is working with DHSC and NHS England to consider how we might extend the availability of adrenaline auto-injectors in schools.

How veterans can obtain replacement medals when originals have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in cases where ill health has delayed the submission of (i) police and (ii) insurance reports.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a long-established policy whereby, upon receipt of proof of loss, due to fire or flood (a successful insurance claim), or theft (a police report), our Medal Office will provide replacement medals. The requirement for documented proof of loss is applied without exception to all applications, even when illness or other circumstances prevent the individual from expediting their claim. This is to protect the integrity of medallic recognition, and the wider UK Honours system by ensuring, as far as possible, that duplicate copies of medals are not in circulation and to reinforce the intrinsic value of the medals themselves. The policy and procedure for replacement medals is to be found at:https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge