Written questions by Savage.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing temporary financial support for farmers in England to offset increased fuel costs.

The Government is conscious of the increases to prices of red diesel and other fuel influenced by the continued instability in the Middle East. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. The Government are determined to help keep costs down for our farmers. Red diesel continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount - saving farmers almost £300 million a year. The Government’s commitment to farming and food security is steadfast, which is why it has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased agricultural fuel costs on (a) UK food prices and (b) food security.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What steps his Department is taking to clear the backlog of outstanding Remediable Service Statements under the McCloud remedy; and what revised timetable he has set for impacted Armed Forces personnel to receive statements.

The Ministry of Defence is collaborating with the scheme administrator to accelerate the delivery of Remediable Service Statements (RSS) by increasing resources, implementing automation to reduce manual processing, and reallocating the workforce to allow staff to focus on the most complex cases.The department is finalising the timeline for issuing all RSSs; this will be communicated to members once confirmed.Regular progress updates are available to members at the following link on the Armed Forces Pensions gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fuel costs on the financial viability of farms during the spring planting and silage-making season.

The Government is conscious of the increases to prices of red diesel/gasoil, influenced by the continued instability in the Middle East. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. The Government are determined to help keep costs down for our farmers. Red diesel continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount - saving farmers almost £300 million a year. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets throughout the year, including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.

What steps she is taking to ensure that proposed reforms to the SEND system help support local authorities to comply with their statutory duties.

The Schools White Paper sets clear expectations for local authorities in regard to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and we are backing that with significant investment to support transformation of the system.We have written to local authorities and Integrated Care Boards requesting SEND reform plans on improving outcomes for children.We will hold them to account to deliver strong outcomes for children and young people with SEND and intervene decisively wherever needed.

What proportion of VAT penalties issued in the 2024-25 financial year were subsequently (a) overturned or (b) cancelled on appeal.

The information you have requested can be found here: 2024-25 HMRC Annual Reports and Accounts and here: 2024-25 Tax Assurance Commissioners Report

What steps HMRC is taking to improve information-sharing between its fraud investigation and customer service functions in cases involving compromised taxpayer accounts.

HMRC is establishing the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multifunctional capability led by HMRC’s Security directorate, to improve coordination between customer service, fraud investigation and security teams when taxpayer accounts are compromised. Through the FPC, HMRC is improving customer reporting routes, strengthening incident management processes across teams, and deploying targeted technical enhancements to support more joined-up handling of cases and enhanced support for affected customers.

What policy HMRC follows on suspending automated penalty notices and enforcement action in cases where a taxpayer's account has been compromised by a third party.

Since May 2025, HMRC has seen a significant increase in VAT fraud attempts relating to criminals compromising legitimate customer accounts. HMRC security teams actively investigate these incidents and work with experts across the department to continually strengthen the security of online services. HMRC’s approach is to identify and prevent fraud upstream by strengthening perimeter controls to prevent fraudulent access to systems, applying effective risk‑based controls at the point of registration and repayment, and targeting the organised criminal groups behind these attacks. HMRC’s Cybercrime team works proactively to understand these threats and identify those responsible. Where HMRC identifies that a taxpayer’s VAT account has been compromised by a third party, the department takes action to lock the digital account to prevent further unauthorised access and to mitigate any adverse impact on the customer. HMRC contacts the customer to explain what has occurred, the action taken to correct their account, and any steps the customer needs to take. Until recently, customers were asked to appeal any penalties or interest incurred. However, the process has been adjusted so that any incorrect penalties are now inhibited and removed. Once the customer regains access to their account, HMRC provides appropriate support and allows additional time for the customer to submit updates and returns without accruing penalties.

How many HMRC online accounts were reported as (a) compromised or (b) subject to unauthorised access in each of the last three financial years.

Information relating to suspected or confirmed account compromise is recorded across different systems and teams, reflecting variation in how fraud presents across HMRC services and channels. As a result, HMRC is unable to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the number of accounts reported as compromised or subject to unauthorised access for each of the last three financial years in the format requested.HMRC continues to strengthen its capability to identify, respond to and manage compromised accounts, including improving incident management processes and developing more joined‑up approaches to monitoring and response across services.

What guidance HMRC issues to third-party debt collection agencies acting on its behalf to recover debts subject to (a) an active dispute or (b) an unresolved fraud investigation.

HMRC does not place tax debts that are either in an active dispute or part of an unresolved investigation with debt collection agencies (DCAs). If a taxpayer communicates to a DCA that their debt is part of an active dispute, which could include being part of an open investigation, the guidance states that the case should be returned to HMRC

Whether his Department plans to designate a national body with statutory responsibility for ensuring the adequate provision of nationwide burial sites; and what steps he is taking to ensure there are an adequate number of burial sites in the absence of such a body.

The Government does not have day-to-day operational responsibility for burial grounds, which are managed locally. There is no statutory duty on local authorities to make provision for burial, and it is a matter for each authority to allocate local resources in line with local priorities.The Law Commission’s final report on its review of burial and cremation law was published on 18 March 2026. The report makes a number of recommendations on a future legislative framework for burial but does not propose the creation of a national body to oversee burial provision.The Government will consider the Law Commission’s recommendations carefully and will respond in due course.

What guidance is provided to local authorities on setting reduced speed limits in rural areas; and whether he plans to increase the powers available to local authorities to introduce speed limit zones in rural communities.

Guidance for local authorities on setting reduced speed limits, including in rural areas, is provided through the Department for Transport’s Setting Local Speed Limits guidance. This makes clear that local traffic authorities may introduce speed limits below the national limit where local conditions justify it, based on factors such as road layout, safety considerations and the character of the area. The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026 committed to update current guidance on local speed limits and speed‑camera use.

Whether her Department plans to increase driver accountability for road traffic collisions involving horses and other animals on public roads; and whether she has considered amending the Road Traffic Act 1988.

My Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse-riders. The advice on safe passing distances in Rule 163, says that motorists should “pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at speeds under 10mph and allow at least 2 metres of space”. The Government does not currently have plans to amend the Road Traffic Act in relation to horse riders.

What data his Department collects on road traffic collisions involving horses; and whether he plans to improve the recording and publication of statistics on such incidents.

The Department’s published road collision statistics are based on data reported by police forces via the STATS19 data collection system. STATS19 covers collisions on the public highway reported to and recorded by police, and which involve injury to one or more human participants. This includes collisions involving horses. Within the collection, horses are recorded as vehicles, and riders (when injured) as casualties.There are currently no plans to change the recording of incidents involving horses in STATS19. The collection is reviewed periodically by the Standing Committee on Road Injury Collision Statistics (SCRICS). Any proposals to amend the collection will be considered during the next review, though the timing of this has not yet been set.

What support is available to victims of road traffic collisions involving animals where no human fatality occurs; and whether he plans to review existing support mechanisms for people who are affected.

Where a road traffic offence is criminal, those affected by the offence can expect to receive the services set out in the Victims’ Code. The Victim’s Code is a practical statutory guide for victims of crime, including victims of road traffic offences, to understand what they can expect from the criminal justice system, and outlines the minimum level of service they should receive. The Ministry of Justice is the lead government department for the Victim’s Code and has committed to undertaking a review of it.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that households are not charged higher assessed water tariffs where a water meter cannot be installed due to infrastructure limitations beyond the customer’s control.

On water metering, individual water companies are responsible for deciding how best to manage water demand, including their approach to metering. Customers charged on an unmeasured basis are typically charged by reference to the rateable value of the property. Where a meter cannot be installed, customers are instead offered an assessed charge based on one of the following: the number of bedrooms, the type of property, the number of people living in a property or the company’s average metered bill. Additional information about unmeasured charging can be found on the Ofwat website.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the national speed limit on rural single carriageway roads; and whether he has considered introducing a default speed limit lower than 60mph on unclassified rural roads.

The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, commits the Government updating the best practice guidance Setting Local Speed Limits which outlines how local authorities may introduce lower limits on rural roads where appropriate. The most recent publicly accessible version of this guidance emphasises that Local traffic authorities have the power to introduce speed limits lower than the national limit where local conditions justify this. The Road Safety Strategy also looks at exploring whether the proposed rural roads categories are appropriate at a local level and to assessing their potential for national application. Developing a much clearer and more consistent definition of what constitutes a ‘rural road’ could help target safety interventions more effectively, ensuring resources are spent where they can have the greatest impact.

What plans her Department has to introduce a route to indefinite leave to remain for Ukrainian nationals currently residing in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK, including pressures relating to housing, employment and education. We recognise that this uncertainty can be particularly acute for families with children who have lived in the UK for extended periods. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window to support effective forward planning.In exercising immigration functions, the Home Secretary has regard to the statutory duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the United Kingdom. In line with this duty, the best interests of the child are treated as a primary consideration in immigration decisions affecting Ukrainian families, while recognising that they are not the only consideration.The Government keeps the situation in Ukraine under close and active review, taking into account security conditions, humanitarian infrastructure and the ability of civilians to return safely and sustainably. No single criterion determines when Ukraine would be considered sufficiently safe for the purposes of ending temporary protection arrangements, and no decisions have been taken at this stage.The Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route.The Government recognises the importance of longer‑term clarity and is actively considering the future position. In doing so, it is drawing on a wide range of evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. It will respond in a responsible and considered manner, and intends to make a further statement later this year to support Ukrainians in planning effectively for their futures.

What steps his Department is taking to improve road safety for equestrians; and whether he plans to update Highway Code guidance or introduce further statutory protections for horse riders.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses including the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. Following these updates the Department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. We are also running year-round 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. However, as set out in the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian implications for Ukrainian families who have established long-term residence in the UK of being required to return to Ukraine following the expiry of current visa arrangements.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK, including pressures relating to housing, employment, and education. We recognise that this uncertainty can be particularly acute for families with children who have lived in the UK for extended periods. The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and widening the application window to support effective forward planning.In exercising immigration functions, the Home Secretary has regard to the statutory duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the United Kingdom. In line with this duty, the best interests of the child are treated as a primary consideration in immigration decisions affecting Ukrainian families, while recognising that they are not the only consideration.The Government keeps the situation in Ukraine under close and active review, taking into account security conditions, humanitarian infrastructure, and the ability of civilians to return safely and sustainably. No single criterion determines when Ukraine would be considered sufficiently safe for the purposes of ending temporary protection arrangements, and no decisions have been taken at this stage.The Ukraine schemes are temporary in nature and do not provide a route to settlement. Time spent in the UK under the Ukraine schemes does not count towards the Long Residence route.The Government recognises the importance of longer‑term clarity and is actively considering the future position. In doing so, it is drawing on a wide range of evidence from across government, academia, civil society, and stakeholder engagement. It will respond in a responsible and considered manner, and intends to make a further statement later this year to support Ukrainians in planning effectively for their futures.