Written questions by Snowden.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to protect community gardens.

Community gardens make a great contribution to the health, wellbeing and spirit of communities.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that open space should not be built on unless there is clear evidence it is no longer required, or equivalent or better provision is secured in a suitable location, or development of the site is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.The NPPF also provides for the designation of land as Local Green Space through local and neighbourhood plans, allowing communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, what estimate he has made of the number of illegally modified electric bikes removed from sale by (a) Trading Standards and (b) the Office for Product Safety and Standards in the last year.

Under UK product safety regulations, businesses are responsible for ensuring the products they supply comply with all relevant legal requirements. The Office for Product Safety and Standards published a regulatory activity update for e-bikes in January which summarises its actions in this area. It does not routinely collect estimates of numbers of products removed from sale. Individual Trading Standards departments prioritise action against non-compliant consumer products based on the trading patterns and safety issues specific to their locality, which differ between regions.Enforcement of illegally modified electric bikes used on public roads is a matter for the police.

What training is provided to police officers to help (a) identify and (b) handle illegally modified e-bikes.

The training provided to police officers to help identity and handle illegally modified e-bikes is an operational matter for Chief Officers of police forces.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to clamp down on vehicles, including illegally modified electric bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a 6-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially, or which have been ridden without insurance or a driving licence, from 14 days to 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 on the provision of NHS services in (a) England and (b) Fylde.

The Supreme Court’s ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers. We expect all public service bodies to act on the clarity that the ruling provides We are considering the impact of the ruling. While the implementation of the ruling may generate operational challenges or have financial implications, it is not beyond the ability of the National Health Service to find a path that resolves these issues in a way that ensures the safety and dignity of all patients. We will support the NHS in England in doing so.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54084 on Roads: Fylde, what the criteria is for successful completion of the incentive measures.

Details about local highway maintenance funding allocations and what authorities must do to receive incentive funding are all available on gov.uk. The first thing authorities must do is to publish a report on their websites by the end of June providing information on various matters including how they are planning to spend the funding, and what the overall condition of their road network is. Lancashire have been allocated an uplift in local highway maintenance funding of up to £12,308,000 for local highway maintenance in 2025/26, subject to them meeting the incentive criteria set out on gov.uk. This represents 2.46% of the total uplift of £500,000,000 across England.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54084 on Roads: Fylde, what proportion of the £500 million funding uplift for local highway maintenance was allocated to Lancashire.

Details about local highway maintenance funding allocations and what authorities must do to receive incentive funding are all available on gov.uk. The first thing authorities must do is to publish a report on their websites by the end of June providing information on various matters including how they are planning to spend the funding, and what the overall condition of their road network is. Lancashire have been allocated an uplift in local highway maintenance funding of up to £12,308,000 for local highway maintenance in 2025/26, subject to them meeting the incentive criteria set out on gov.uk. This represents 2.46% of the total uplift of £500,000,000 across England.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54086 on Active Travel: Lancashire, if she will provide additional (a) funding and (b) resources to improve walking infrastructure in Fylde.

Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54084 on Roads: Fylde, whether funding has been allocated for new road investment projects in 2025-26 in Fylde constituency.

The previous Answer set out the maximum 2025 to 2026 highway maintenance funding allocation from the government to Lancashire County Council as the local highway authority for the honourable member’s constituency. Grant funds provided by DfT for highways maintenance are not ringfenced, meaning that Lancashire County Council can choose how to spend this, including on road schemes within the Fylde constituency if they wish. In addition, Lancashire Combined County Authority (the non-mayoral combined authority consisting of Lancashire County Council, Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council, and Blackpool Council) has been allocated over £9 million in 2025/26 of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding to support local transport maintenance and enhancements. For 2025/26 the government will top up ITB funding through the Local Transport Grant (LTG), a one-year capital grant. Lancashire Combined County Authority has been allocated nearly £35m through the LTG. Beyond that, there are no schemes for investment in the local road network put forward by the local highway authority for support from my Department through relevant road investment funding programmes for 2025/26. National Highways is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the sections of strategic road network in the honourable member’s constituency. The Strategic Road Network: interim settlement 2025 to 2026 published in March set out government’s investment and management of the strategic road network for 2025/26. Following the opening of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project last August, there are no new strategic road projects in Fylde in 2025/26.

Pursuant to the answer to question 54450 of 3 May 2025, how many people in the Fylde constituency are currently eligible for free travel under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme due to disability.

The Department for Transport does not hold data on the number of people eligible for free travel under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme due to disability at any geographic level.

If HMRC will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling secure written communication through the Government Gateway system.

HMRC are currently working on delivering a secure digital communications route for customers and their intermediaries to exchange documents and written communications with HMRC.

If HMRC will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating the practice of paying interest on savings net of tax.

HMRC receives information from banks and building societies about the savings and investment income they have paid to their customers. Where possible, HMRC will match this information to a taxpayer’s record, and calculate any Income Tax due. If necessary, they will adjust the taxpayer’s tax code and send them an adjusted tax code notice. Guidance on Gov.uk sets out HMRC’s process to collect tax where an individual exceeds their allowance, settled either through Self-Assessment or adjustments to their tax code for Pay As You Earn customers. A combination of several allowances means that around 85% of people with savings income pay no tax on their savings income. Requiring banks and building societies to return to the system of deducting basic rate tax from interest would result in millions of savers being overcharged tax and needing to reclaim it from HMRC to benefit from their savings allowances. The Government keeps all aspects of savings and tax policy under review

What steps she is taking to help support Lancashire County Council to engage with local communities on the prioritisation of active travel investments in Fylde.

Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Department will publish a third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3). This will set out the long-term funding for active travel including infrastructure and programmes such as Bikeability. Since 2020 Lancashire County Council has been awarded over £10.5 million of funding to improve the safety and accessibility of infrastructure through the Active Travel Fund. While it is for local authorities to decide where investment is prioritised in their local transport networks, Active Travel England (ATE) works with them through the Design Assurance Process which uses tools, checks and other processes to ensure quality and safety are designed into new and existing infrastructure. ATE is regularly engaged with the Council through our regional engagement managers. Earlier this year ATE published best practice guidance for authorities on how to engage communities on the prioritisation and delivery of schemes. Guidance on monitoring and evaluation has been provided to support authorities in transparently tracking the impact of their funding.

Food and Rural Affairs, what support has been provided to farmers in Fylde constituency under Environmental Land Management schemes since January 2024.

The Government is providing a record level of funding for the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes as part of the £5 billion it has secured over the 24/25 and 25/26 financial years for farmers across England, including Fylde. Since 1 January 2024, the Rural Payments Agency has issued payments totalling £2,277,556 to farmers in the Fylde constituency under the ELM schemes.

Whether HMRC plans to take steps to change the (a) taxation of interest on savings and (b) tax system; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the tax system on people who pay both (i) PAYE and (ii) tax on savings interest.

HMRC receives information from banks and building societies about the savings and investment income they have paid to their customers. Where possible, HMRC will match this information to a taxpayer’s record, and calculate any Income Tax due. If necessary, they will adjust the taxpayer’s tax code and send them an adjusted tax code notice. Guidance on Gov.uk sets out HMRC’s process to collect tax where an individual exceeds their allowance, settled either through Self-Assessment or adjustments to their tax code for Pay As You Earn customers. A combination of several allowances means that around 85% of people with savings income pay no tax on their savings income. Requiring banks and building societies to return to the system of deducting basic rate tax from interest would result in millions of savers being overcharged tax and needing to reclaim it from HMRC to benefit from their savings allowances. The Government keeps all aspects of savings and tax policy under review

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 55112 on Music Venues: Finance, whether she plans to increase levels of Supporting Grassroots Music Fund funding beyond 2025-26; and whether she has considered creating a multi-year funding stream for grassroots venues.

The Supporting Grassroots Music Fund is open to applications from rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals, and venues for live and electronic music performance, from across the whole of England. Arts Council England supports and encourages applicants from across England including through its network of area-based relationship managers.The Government and the live music industry are working together to drive progress on an industry-led levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to support grassroots music. We welcome commitments by artists and the wider industry to implement the ticket levy, and steps taken by industry to set up a charitable trust to distribute funds from the levy.As part of the Spending Review 2025, the Government has announced a significant increase in funding for the Creative Industries. The Government’s industrial strategy is prioritising the creative industries and we will set out actions to drive music sector growth in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 55112 on Music Venues: Finance, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable access to the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund in (a) Fylde constituency, (b) regions with fewer existing grassroots music venues and (c) all English regions.

The Supporting Grassroots Music Fund is open to applications from rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals, and venues for live and electronic music performance, from across the whole of England. Arts Council England supports and encourages applicants from across England including through its network of area-based relationship managers.The Government and the live music industry are working together to drive progress on an industry-led levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to support grassroots music. We welcome commitments by artists and the wider industry to implement the ticket levy, and steps taken by industry to set up a charitable trust to distribute funds from the levy.As part of the Spending Review 2025, the Government has announced a significant increase in funding for the Creative Industries. The Government’s industrial strategy is prioritising the creative industries and we will set out actions to drive music sector growth in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54446 on Environmental Land Management Schemes: Lancashire, what the projected allocation of the £5 billion farming budget is for farmers in Lancashire between 2024 and 2026.

The farming budget is not ring fenced according to area but will depend on which schemes and grants farmers have agreements for and/or apply for.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 55194 on Import Duties: USA, if he will set out the level of tariff reductions for UK SMEs under the economic deal concluded with the United States of America on 8 May 2025; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those reductions on SMEs reliant on international supply chains.

We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains, including on SMEs. The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April. We have announced a range of measures to support SMEs, including access to additional finance through the British Business Bank and sector specific measures. We are also expanding UKEF’s capacity to support business by £20 billion, with £10 billion specifically aimed at businesses impacted by the current US tariffs. Any business which is concerned about what tariff changes mean for them can find clear guidance and support on business.gov.uk.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 51543 on Universal Credit: Fylde, how many Universal Credit claimants in Fylde constituency have contacted her Department's debt management team to discuss the repayment rate for overpayments since 30 April 2025.

The department does not hold this aggregate data at constituency level. We strive to set affordable, and sustainable repayment plans and encourage customers to make contact if they are unable to afford the proposed repayment rate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 51543 on Universal Credit: Fylde, what support measures there are for vulnerable Universal Credit claimants affected by the new repayment rates for overpayments in Fylde constituency.

DWP are committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and strive to set affordable, and sustainable repayment plans and encourage customers to make contact if they are unable to afford the proposed repayment rate.