Asked by: John Whittingdale (Conservative - Maldon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to increase public awareness of changes to the Highway Code made in the last 4 years.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Following changes made to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran THINK! Campaigns in 2022 and 2023 to raise awareness of the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the new guidance, with 86% of road users having heard of the changes by September 2023.
The Government's new road safety strategy identifies that more work is needed to continue embedding these changes.
The THINK! campaign will continue to run three radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations.
The Road Safety Strategy also sets out further actions to enable safer active travel including supporting councils to provide high-quality, easily accessible active travel schemes across England, and the development of its third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 3).
As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety.
To support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to monitor the maintenance of Lime Bikes by rental companies.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Road safety is a top priority for this Government. That is why the licensing regime for shared cycle schemes which we are bringing forward through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will include minimum standard conditions to ensure a national baseline of safety.
We will consult in depth before implementing licensing, with safety being a core consideration. Licence conditions could include reporting and maintenance requirements.
Ministers and officials engage regularly with shared cycle operators, local authorities, and other groups to understand the challenges and opportunities these schemes can present.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the resilience of UK diplomatic missions’ digital infrastructure against state-sponsored cyber threats.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) maintains a clear and comprehensive strategy to address cyber and information security threats across the global network and continues to deliver an ongoing programme to strengthen resilience and safeguard critical assets. The FCDO's approach aligns with National Cyber Security Centre best practice and includes regular assessments to ensure resilience amid a continuously evolving business, digital and threat landscape.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with Commonwealth partners on strengthening trade resilience amid global supply chain disruptions.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
These issues were discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit (CHOGM) in Samoa in October 2024. Economic resilience is a key area of focus in the Commonwealth Strategic Plan for 2025 - 2030. Since CHOGM we have continued to discuss these issues in international and multilateral fora, and in bilateral conversations with our Commonwealth partners.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support persecuted minorities in Bangladesh.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 November 2025 in response to Question 86282, and I would add that Baroness Chapman raised the issue of violence towards religious minority groups during her trip to Bangladesh later that month.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent guidance HMRC has provided to taxpayers on steps to protect themselves from fake or fraudulent messages when submitting the self assessment tax return.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC app users can choose to enable ‘push notifications’ to receive a variety of updates, including payment notifications. At present, this feature operates on an ‘all or nothing’ basis, meaning users cannot select only payment notifications. Since the app launched, over 5.3 million users have opted to enable push notifications, although some may have subsequently chosen to disable them.
HMRC regularly shares guidance and updates to help taxpayers stay safe online and protect themselves from scams and fraudulent messages, particularly during the Self Assessment period.
They include practical advice and links to relevant materials in their Self Assessment emails, social media content, radio broadcasts, press releases, GOV.UK guidance and through other communication products.
For example, the following press releases regarding Self Assessment scams were published in August and December 2025 respectively:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scams-warning-as-self-assessment-customers-targeted
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/4800-self-assessment-scams-reported
HMRC’s guidance on phishing and scams can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-phishing-and-scams-detailed-information
Alongside communications regarding avoiding scams, HMRC also uses a range of communication activity to support customers to file their Self Assessment return on time. This starts with the notice to file issued to all relevant customers in April and with reminders issued directly to customer’s Personal Tax Accounts (PTA) and HMRC app or by letter, email and text. HMRC also encourages customers to file on time through their annual multi channel communications campaign.
A wide range of online help and support is available on GOV.UK. This includes guidance notes and help sheets, as well as online webinars and recorded videos on YouTube covering various Self Assessment scenarios.
In addition, there is information on GOV.UK on how a customer can ask for the requirement to file a Self Assessment tax return to be withdrawn if they no longer meet the Self Assessment criteria. This can be done through HMRC’s digital services, via their PTA or by calling HMRC.
Customers are also able to use the services of an agent to file their returns. In 2024/25, 59% of the Self Assessment population was represented. HMRC works closely with agent representative bodies to encourage the early filing of returns.
HMRC monitors the effectiveness of their communications. Last year, over 90% of customers filed their Self Assessment return on time. The Self Assessment campaign tracking report 2024 to 2025 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-assessment-campaign-tracking-2024-to-2025-report/self-assessment-campaign-tracking-report-2024-to-2025
Late filing penalties incentivise good filing behaviours. They are an important feature of tax administration to encourage taxpayers to meet their obligations and to provide sanctions for those who do not.
All customers have the right to appeal against late filing penalties within 30 days of the date of the penalty notice. HMRC will cancel penalties where a customer can demonstrate that they had a reasonable excuse for the failure to file their return on time and the failure was remedied shortly after the reasonable excuse ceased. HMRC will also cancel any late filing penalties when a return is not required, such as where a customer has ceased self-employment or no longer meets the Self Assessment criteria.
Penalty notices are issued automatically and therefore all customers who miss the filing deadline will receive a filing penalty.
The tables below set out the number of fixed £100 penalties raised for late filing, the daily penalties issued for late filing and the values of late filing penalties paid for each tax year since 2020.
Table 1: Fixed £100 penalties raised for late filing
Tax Year | Fixed £100 penalties raised |
2019/2020 | 1,260,000 |
2020/2021 | 1,350,000 |
2021/2022 | 1,250,000 |
2022/2023 | 1,220,000 |
2023/2024 | 1,060,000 |
Table 2: Daily penalties issued for late filing
Tax Year | Daily penalties raised |
2019/2020 | 700,000 |
2020/2021 | 770,000 |
2021/2022 | 730,000 |
2022/2023 | 700,000 |
2023/2024 | 660,000 |
The figures in tables 1 and 2 are rounded to the nearest 10,000, and are correct as of December 2025.
Table 3 – Values of late filing penalties paid for each tax year since 2020
Tax year of late submission | Value of Late Filing Penalties Paid (£m) |
2019/20 | 190 |
2020/21 | 209 |
2021/22 | 184 |
2022/23 | 147 |
2023/24 | 82 |
The figures in table 3 are rounded to the nearest £1m and are correct as of December 2025.
Notes for tables 1 – 3:
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of HMRC’s reminders, app notifications and communications in reducing the level of last-minute self assessment tax return filings.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC app users can choose to enable ‘push notifications’ to receive a variety of updates, including payment notifications. At present, this feature operates on an ‘all or nothing’ basis, meaning users cannot select only payment notifications. Since the app launched, over 5.3 million users have opted to enable push notifications, although some may have subsequently chosen to disable them.
HMRC regularly shares guidance and updates to help taxpayers stay safe online and protect themselves from scams and fraudulent messages, particularly during the Self Assessment period.
They include practical advice and links to relevant materials in their Self Assessment emails, social media content, radio broadcasts, press releases, GOV.UK guidance and through other communication products.
For example, the following press releases regarding Self Assessment scams were published in August and December 2025 respectively:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scams-warning-as-self-assessment-customers-targeted
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/4800-self-assessment-scams-reported
HMRC’s guidance on phishing and scams can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-phishing-and-scams-detailed-information
Alongside communications regarding avoiding scams, HMRC also uses a range of communication activity to support customers to file their Self Assessment return on time. This starts with the notice to file issued to all relevant customers in April and with reminders issued directly to customer’s Personal Tax Accounts (PTA) and HMRC app or by letter, email and text. HMRC also encourages customers to file on time through their annual multi channel communications campaign.
A wide range of online help and support is available on GOV.UK. This includes guidance notes and help sheets, as well as online webinars and recorded videos on YouTube covering various Self Assessment scenarios.
In addition, there is information on GOV.UK on how a customer can ask for the requirement to file a Self Assessment tax return to be withdrawn if they no longer meet the Self Assessment criteria. This can be done through HMRC’s digital services, via their PTA or by calling HMRC.
Customers are also able to use the services of an agent to file their returns. In 2024/25, 59% of the Self Assessment population was represented. HMRC works closely with agent representative bodies to encourage the early filing of returns.
HMRC monitors the effectiveness of their communications. Last year, over 90% of customers filed their Self Assessment return on time. The Self Assessment campaign tracking report 2024 to 2025 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/self-assessment-campaign-tracking-2024-to-2025-report/self-assessment-campaign-tracking-report-2024-to-2025
Late filing penalties incentivise good filing behaviours. They are an important feature of tax administration to encourage taxpayers to meet their obligations and to provide sanctions for those who do not.
All customers have the right to appeal against late filing penalties within 30 days of the date of the penalty notice. HMRC will cancel penalties where a customer can demonstrate that they had a reasonable excuse for the failure to file their return on time and the failure was remedied shortly after the reasonable excuse ceased. HMRC will also cancel any late filing penalties when a return is not required, such as where a customer has ceased self-employment or no longer meets the Self Assessment criteria.
Penalty notices are issued automatically and therefore all customers who miss the filing deadline will receive a filing penalty.
The tables below set out the number of fixed £100 penalties raised for late filing, the daily penalties issued for late filing and the values of late filing penalties paid for each tax year since 2020.
Table 1: Fixed £100 penalties raised for late filing
Tax Year | Fixed £100 penalties raised |
2019/2020 | 1,260,000 |
2020/2021 | 1,350,000 |
2021/2022 | 1,250,000 |
2022/2023 | 1,220,000 |
2023/2024 | 1,060,000 |
Table 2: Daily penalties issued for late filing
Tax Year | Daily penalties raised |
2019/2020 | 700,000 |
2020/2021 | 770,000 |
2021/2022 | 730,000 |
2022/2023 | 700,000 |
2023/2024 | 660,000 |
The figures in tables 1 and 2 are rounded to the nearest 10,000, and are correct as of December 2025.
Table 3 – Values of late filing penalties paid for each tax year since 2020
Tax year of late submission | Value of Late Filing Penalties Paid (£m) |
2019/20 | 190 |
2020/21 | 209 |
2021/22 | 184 |
2022/23 | 147 |
2023/24 | 82 |
The figures in table 3 are rounded to the nearest £1m and are correct as of December 2025.
Notes for tables 1 – 3:
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 16 December 2025, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of the proposed changes on the number and size of residential gardens in suburban neighbourhoods.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making.
The consultation includes policies that will support development within residential curtilages, including gardens. The relevant policies make clear that new development within residential curtilages should not occupy more than twice the footprint of the existing building on the site and should retain at least half of the non-developed area within the building’s curtilage. These policies would safeguard residential gardens from being lost and prevent inappropriate development which would be out of scale with the existing dwelling(s) taking place, while also allowing gentle increases in density in suitable locations.
Individual development decisions would be made by landowners/homeowners.
The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the British Transport Police’s crime-screening policy for pedal-cycle theft at railway stations on (a) public confidence in policing and (b) the delivery of a joined-up national transport network.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Ensuring the railway remains safe for passengers and staff, and creating a hostile environment for criminals on the network is a priority for both the Department for Transport and the British Transport Police (BTP). Decisions on the use of resource and deployment of officers across the railway are for the BTP, as an operationally independent police service.
The BTP’s screening policy, introduced in August 2024, takes into account factors including the possible time window an incident could have taken place in, but also the availability of witnesses and CCTV, the realistic prospect of a successful outcome, and a range of other factors. In some instances this may mean that an investigation is not progressed, but there is no blanket ruling and each case is assessed individually. BTP have not taken the decision to stop investigating bike theft that cannot be narrowed to a two-hour window.
BTP work closely with train operating companies and their counterparts in Home Office forces to run events at stations across the network, which provide practical crime prevention advice and services such as free bike marking to passengers. There was a 23% decrease in cycle theft recorded between 2022/23 and 2024/25.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of access to sports and physical activity facilities in areas of South Basildon and East Thurrock with higher levels of deprivation.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.
In England, the Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sports through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions. Sport England works closely with local partners, including Active Essex, to support community-led interventions to improve access to sport and physical activity. The constituency of South Basildon and East Thurrock received a total of £17,600 of Sport England funding in 2024/2025.
In June, following the Spending Review we committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years. We will ensure that this funding promotes health and wellbeing, and helps to remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are working with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.