Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the development of sovereign digital capabilities when procuring government digital services.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government’s blueprint for modern digital government published in January sets out a coordination approach to strengthening procurement of digital capabilities across the public sector, making use of governments' scale to unlock greater value and procure in a way that drives creation of responsible, inclusive and secure technologies.
While each department is responsible for creation of their own requirements and making procurement decisions based on their specific needs, the Government Digital Service will continue to support departments through guidance such as the Technology Code of Practice.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what priority they will give to the development of sovereign digital capabilities, excluding artificial intelligence, under their new industrial strategy.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy commits to supporting the digital and technologies sector as a high growth industry. As part of the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan we have prioritised six frontier technologies with the greatest growth potential and strategic importance. The Sector Plan commits to grow domestic capabilities in these technologies, including through programmes to boost our semiconductor chip design capability, targeted R&D investment in advanced connectivity technologies and a ten-year funding commitment for the National Quantum Computing Centre. We will develop a domestic skills base in these technologies through a new £187 million TechFirst programme to grow the UK’s digital talent pipeline.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for their use of Microsoft products of Microsoft's decision to suspend the email account of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are aware of media reports that Microsoft may have blocked the email account of Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in compliance with US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. It is our understanding that Microsoft has strongly denied this action, it would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment further at this point in time, other than to note that we constantly keep our commercial relationships under review.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of patterns of ownership of electronic communications networks since the introduction of the Electronic Communications Code; and what steps they are taking to ensure that cost savings from reduced land rents benefit end-users.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government has not carried out any formal assessment of electronic communications network ownership patterns. We continue to work closely with industry to understand the evolving market dynamics and, where issues present, will consider what government can do to support investment and competition for the benefit of all end-users.
The 2017 changes to the Electronic Communications Code, which included changes to the valuation regime, were intended to support network deployment and facilitate infrastructure sharing. Based on Ofcom reporting, 4G geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 89% in May 2018 to more than 95% in the 2025 Spring Connected Nations Update. In terms of fixed broadband, Thinkbroadband reports that over 87% of UK premises can access a gigabit capable connection, this is up from 3.4% in January 2018.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of land access disputes between access seekers and providers in relation to electronic communications networks since the introduction of the Electronic Communications Code; and what action they are taking in relation to increased costs or delays associated with tribunal referrals.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Government is aware of an increase in applications to the tribunal following the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code. While Government understands most applications do not proceed to a full hearing, Government is keen that agreements are reached on a consensual basis wherever possible.
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 introduced a requirement for operators to inform landowners of the availability of alternative dispute resolution and to consider using it before issuing legal proceedings. It is hoped that this will encourage more collaborative negotiations between operators and site providers, and reduce costs and litigation.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK's mobile network performance and 5G roll-out compared to large European markets and the USA since 2017, specifically in relation to (1) network coverage, (2) download speeds, and (3) base station deployment.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Our ambition is that all populated areas will have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.
Our most recent assessment on network coverage is from August 2024 where the most recent data available showed that 5G was available outside 92% of premises in the UK, compared to the EU average 5G population coverage at 89% and the USA at 98%. Since this assessment UK coverage has increased to 96%.
According to user testing by Ookla (an independent analytics company) the UK median 5G standalone download speed in the 4th quarter of 2024 was 181.9 Mbps, the US 388.4 Mbps and tests in eight other European countries ranged from 132.1 - 547.5 Mbps.
Ofcom reports that there are 3,300 5G standalone base station deployments in the UK. This is not comparable across markets as it is dependent on factors including topology and spectrum availability.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reforms introduced by the Electronic Communications Code and Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, particularly on market entry and infrastructure investment; and how changing market dynamics have affected the achievement of the UK's 5G aims.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Following engagement with stakeholders about the impact of the 2017 reforms, government consulted on further changes to the Code. These were included in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. The measures in that Act received Parliamentary scrutiny and were subject to a published De Minimis Impact Assessment. Most measures are in force, with some still to be commenced.
As market dynamics evolve, Government is working with industry to ensure we have a policy and regulatory framework that supports investment in 5G. Vodafone, VMO2 and EE have all rolled out standalone 5G in major towns and cities across the UK.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the 2017 Electronic Communications Code introducing a ‘no scheme’ basis for valuing land, how they intend to ensure property-owners, including schools, hospitals, local councils, and farmers, are incentivised to host the mobile infrastructure for network roll-out.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Code statutory valuation regime provides a framework that means, in addition to an amount for permitting land to be used, site providers may also receive compensation for any loss or damage from the operator’s use of Code rights. Although the “no network” valuation regime means additional value generated by use of the land for telecommunications purposes is not taken into account, any alternative use of the land can be considered.
Taken together, these provisions strike the right balance between ensuring landowners receive fair payments for allowing their land to be used and the public need for robust digital networks.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they carried out an impact assessment before extending the 2017 Electronic Communications Code ‘no scheme’ valuation model in accordance with Part 2 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022; if not, why not; and what assessment they have made of the potential impacts on landowners and the pace of 5G roll-out.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Following the 2017 reforms, government representatives engaged regularly with stakeholders about their impact. The changes made by the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 were consulted on and received Parliamentary scrutiny during passage of the Act. The Act itself was subject to a published De Minimis Impact Assessment. A technical consultation on draft regulations related to the provisions referred to is open until 2 July.
Government’s decisions on 5G policy are informed by a wide range of evidence and information. We continue to work with mobile operators to meet our 5G standalone coverage ambition by 2030.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision to rename Ofcom's Advisory Committee on Disinformation and Misinformation the "Committee for Online Information"; and whether the Committee will still have the remit of tackling misinformation.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Ofcom and its advisory committees are independent of government. The name of the advisory committee is therefore a matter for Ofcom.
The Online Safety Act makes the Committee’s role clear. The Act mandates that the Committee must advise the regulator on how providers should address mis- and disinformation on their services. It also requires them to advise Ofcom on exercising their transparency powers and fulfilling their statutory duty to promote media literacy in relation to mis- and disinformation. These duties remain unchanged and will be the focus of the new Online Information Advisory Committee.