Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice (the “Code of Practice”) was developed in 2016 by the Government, in collaboration with two major fixed-line operators and other interested parties. The Code of Practice provides guidance on ways operators can ensure these installations are placed appropriately, and that local authorities and communities are engaged with regarding the proposals.
The Code of Practice is not mandatory, but the operators who helped develop and are signatories to it carry out a high proportion of all network delivery across the UK. We also understand a number of other operators are aware of, and adhere to, the Code of Practice. The Government has not undertaken any formal assessment of its effectiveness to date, but we are aware that Parliamentarians and constituents have concerns about the approach some operators are taking to deployment, particularly telegraph pole installations. Officials are working to raise awareness and encourage sign up to the Code of Practice across the sector and we will monitor progress.
Separately to the Code of Practice, the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 set out statutory requirements for telecoms operators subject to the Electronic Communications Code. We are focusing our attention on making sure that deployment happens in accordance with these existing regulations so that the impact on communities and the environment is taken into account and that broad support is maintained for the rollout of this critical infrastructure. We do not want to see poor operator practice undermine a programme that will ultimately be of huge value to the people we represent.
With that in mind, I have written to all Local Planning Authorities, asking that they notify Ofcom and provide evidence of any instances where they believe operators have failed to comply with their duties under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003. These duties include requirements to share apparatus where practicable; to use underground, rather than overground, lines where reasonably practicable, with certain exceptions; and when installing apparatus, to minimise the impact on the visual amenity of properties, potential hazards and interference with traffic as far as reasonably practicable.
I have also written to the Chief Executive of Ofcom. As the independent regulator for telecommunications operators, Ofcom is able to investigate and take enforcement action in respect of breaches of the restrictions and conditions contained in the above regulations. I have asked that Ofcom ensure their enforcement powers are used when appropriate and that they keep me informed of any developments.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the number of households that applied for (a) broadband and (b) mobile phone social tariffs in (i) Cynon Valley constituency, (ii) Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority and (iii) Wales in the latest period for which data is available.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government has worked with industry to bring a range of low-cost, high quality broadband and mobile social tariffs to the market, starting from just £10 per month, available in 99% of the country.
Providers vary on their eligibility criteria for their social tariffs, therefore we do not hold the exact data regarding those eligible in the requested areas. However, receipt of Universal Credit is the most common eligibility criterion across providers. The Department for Work and Pensions Portal Stat-Xplore includes data on the number of people claiming Universal Credit, and this shows that there were approximately 6,000 households in Cynon Valley Parliamentary Constituency, 17,000 households in Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority and 215,000 households in Wales in this category in November 2022. This provides a useful proxy for social tariffs eligibility in those areas.
The Department does not hold data relating to take-up in any geographical area. However, Ofcom’s Affordability Report (April Update) showed that 5.1% (220,000) of the 4.3 million households eligible were taking up a social tariff nationally. This represents a four-fold increase from January 2022.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the number of households that are eligible for broadband and mobile phone social tariffs in (a) Cynon Valley constituency, (b) Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority and (c) Wales.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government has worked with industry to bring a range of low-cost, high quality broadband and mobile social tariffs to the market, starting from just £10 per month, available in 99% of the country.
Providers vary on their eligibility criteria for their social tariffs, therefore we do not hold the exact data regarding those eligible in the requested areas. However, receipt of Universal Credit is the most common eligibility criterion across providers. The Department for Work and Pensions Portal Stat-Xplore includes data on the number of people claiming Universal Credit, and this shows that there were approximately 6,000 households in Cynon Valley Parliamentary Constituency, 17,000 households in Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority and 215,000 households in Wales in this category in November 2022. This provides a useful proxy for social tariffs eligibility in those areas.
The Department does not hold data relating to take-up in any geographical area. However, Ofcom’s Affordability Report (April Update) showed that 5.1% (220,000) of the 4.3 million households eligible were taking up a social tariff nationally. This represents a four-fold increase from January 2022.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the number of applications for broadband and mobile phone social tariffs among households eligible to apply.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Currently, 22 social tariff packages are available from 19 providers, in various regions of the UK, from as little as £10 a month. Based on coverage of the current providers, social tariffs are available across 99% of the country. We continue to urge those providers who do not currently offer a social tariff to consider the steps they might take to bring a low-cost offer to the market. My department engages with the industry on these issues on an ongoing basis.
We have taken steps to raise awareness of the availability of social tariffs. In November 2022, as part of Help for Households (and in collaboration with operators, charities and consumer groups), we launched a marketing campaign to raise awareness of social tariffs, using radio, press and television advertising to highlight that offers are available to households at this difficult time. Ofcom’s latest April 2023 Affordability Report shows that awareness has increased to 47% up from just 16% in January 2022. While we are pleased with the progress, we have also called on the telecoms industry to do more to ensure their customers know about the support available.
Ofcom’s Report also showed that 5.1% (220,000) of the 4.3 million households eligible were taking up a social tariff. This is a four-fold increase from January 2022. There are a range of complex reasons why take up may not be as high as might be expected, including: the availability of existing low cost, commercial packages; the availability of bundled services allowing consumers to save money over a range of products (such as landline, mobile and pay TV); and public misconceptions about the reliability of the cheaper deals.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with broadband and mobile phone providers who do not offer a social tariff on the provision of such a tariff.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Currently, 22 social tariff packages are available from 19 providers, in various regions of the UK, from as little as £10 a month. Based on coverage of the current providers, social tariffs are available across 99% of the country. We continue to urge those providers who do not currently offer a social tariff to consider the steps they might take to bring a low-cost offer to the market. My department engages with the industry on these issues on an ongoing basis.
We have taken steps to raise awareness of the availability of social tariffs. In November 2022, as part of Help for Households (and in collaboration with operators, charities and consumer groups), we launched a marketing campaign to raise awareness of social tariffs, using radio, press and television advertising to highlight that offers are available to households at this difficult time. Ofcom’s latest April 2023 Affordability Report shows that awareness has increased to 47% up from just 16% in January 2022. While we are pleased with the progress, we have also called on the telecoms industry to do more to ensure their customers know about the support available.
Ofcom’s Report also showed that 5.1% (220,000) of the 4.3 million households eligible were taking up a social tariff. This is a four-fold increase from January 2022. There are a range of complex reasons why take up may not be as high as might be expected, including: the availability of existing low cost, commercial packages; the availability of bundled services allowing consumers to save money over a range of products (such as landline, mobile and pay TV); and public misconceptions about the reliability of the cheaper deals.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the availability of broadband and mobile phone social tariffs amongst those households eligible to apply.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Currently, 22 social tariff packages are available from 19 providers, in various regions of the UK, from as little as £10 a month. Based on coverage of the current providers, social tariffs are available across 99% of the country. We continue to urge those providers who do not currently offer a social tariff to consider the steps they might take to bring a low-cost offer to the market. My department engages with the industry on these issues on an ongoing basis.
We have taken steps to raise awareness of the availability of social tariffs. In November 2022, as part of Help for Households (and in collaboration with operators, charities and consumer groups), we launched a marketing campaign to raise awareness of social tariffs, using radio, press and television advertising to highlight that offers are available to households at this difficult time. Ofcom’s latest April 2023 Affordability Report shows that awareness has increased to 47% up from just 16% in January 2022. While we are pleased with the progress, we have also called on the telecoms industry to do more to ensure their customers know about the support available.
Ofcom’s Report also showed that 5.1% (220,000) of the 4.3 million households eligible were taking up a social tariff. This is a four-fold increase from January 2022. There are a range of complex reasons why take up may not be as high as might be expected, including: the availability of existing low cost, commercial packages; the availability of bundled services allowing consumers to save money over a range of products (such as landline, mobile and pay TV); and public misconceptions about the reliability of the cheaper deals.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of response times to customer complaints on the installation of Government-funded telecommunications infrastructure carried out by Openreach.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government follows an established response procedure for any external queries that are received. The Welsh Government is responsible for overseeing the delivery of Openreach’s superfast contract in Wales and should be able to assist with any queries regarding this programme.
Ofcom has imposed measures to ensure that Openreach improves the services it offers by giving the company a number of performance targets. These include commitments for installing new lines on its existing network and repairing faults more quickly. Ofcom has also expanded the remit of its Openreach Monitoring Unit to include issues relating to the deployment of gigabit-capable networks following the introduction of the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review 2021-2026.
Following the introduction of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, which received Royal Assent in December last year, the Government intends to make regulations creating a legal requirement for operators to have a complaints procedure in place to handle complaints relating to their conduct, and setting out minimum standards which this process must meet.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a cap on mid-contract price rises for broadband and mobile phone providers.
Answered by Paul Scully
We recognise that this is a difficult time for families across the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.
The sector remains highly competitive and UK consumers currently access some of the lowest broadband and mobile pricing in Western Europe. To support low-income households stay connected, my department has negotiated a range of high-quality, low-cost social tariffs for households in receipt of Universal Credit and other means tested benefits from as little as £10 per month. These are available in 99% of the UK.
In addition, leaders from broadband and mobile operators agreed on a set of industry commitments to help people through the global rise in the cost of living. These include manageable payment plans and allowing households, who may be mid-contract but struggling with their bills, to switch to cheaper packages without penalty.
On 23 January, as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, met with Chief Executives from major broadband providers and made clear her concerns about the impact price rises may have on those who are struggling due to the rise in the cost of living.
On 9 February 2023, Ofcom launched a review into the transparency of in-contract price rises. We will examine Ofcom’s findings once they are published.
Asked by: Beth Winter (Labour - Cynon Valley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing mid-contract price rises for broadband and mobile phone providers.
Answered by Paul Scully
We recognise that this is a difficult time for families across the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.
The sector remains highly competitive and UK consumers currently access some of the lowest broadband and mobile pricing in Western Europe. To support low-income households stay connected, my department has negotiated a range of high-quality, low-cost social tariffs for households in receipt of Universal Credit and other means tested benefits from as little as £10 per month. These are available in 99% of the UK.
In addition, leaders from broadband and mobile operators agreed on a set of industry commitments to help people through the global rise in the cost of living. These include manageable payment plans and allowing households, who may be mid-contract but struggling with their bills, to switch to cheaper packages without penalty.
On 23 January, as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, met with Chief Executives from major broadband providers and made clear her concerns about the impact price rises may have on those who are struggling due to the rise in the cost of living.
On 9 February 2023, Ofcom launched a review into the transparency of in-contract price rises. We will examine Ofcom’s findings once they are published.