In my judgement, nothing much has changed except that it seems to have intensified hatred of cyclists.
There's a balanced report here, which is nothing like the hysterical story in the DM.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/24/common-myths-about-what-uk-highway-code-changes-will-mean
I even heard some prat on the radio ranting that drivers would be fined £1,000 if they opened their doors without using the Dutch Reach. He's wrong. That is a "should" in the new HC, not a "must".
Taking-the-lane is advice to cyclists that has been around for years, and is commonly observed.
Most controversial seems to be the 'right' of peds to cross minor roads at junctions. This used to say that peds have priority if they are crossing, and it still does. In addition, it will now say that the ped has priority if "waiting to cross" - a bit like a zebra crossing I suppose. If I see someone doing that I will often wait anyway just in case they do step off the kerb. Time will tell if pedestrians start throwing themselves in front of traffic.
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give way to pedestrians 
give way to pedestrians 
