(1)It is an offence for a person to make a statement which the person knows is false or materially misleading—
(a)in responding to a requirement imposed by the Secretary of State—
(i)under section 273 (power to require information),
(ii)under section 274(4) (duty to report incidents), or
(iii)under regulations under section 276 (provision of information at specified intervals), or
(b)in making any other statement to the Secretary of State in connection with any of the Secretary of State’s functions under this Part.
(2)A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(c)on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(d)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).
Commencement Information
I1S. 280 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 334(1)
I2S. 280 in force at 11.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/32, reg. 2(c)(vi)