Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department held discussions with (a) industry stakeholders, (b) local government and (c) third sector advocacy organisations before establishing an inter-ministerial group on tackling digital exclusion.
Answered by Saqib Bhatti - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for coordinating HMG digital inclusion policy as part of its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
We have and will continue to work with key stakeholders across Government on digital exclusion issues. Each department leads and owns relationships with stakeholders in their policy areas.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government, setting clear objectives, monitoring delivery, and engaging with relevant sector experts to seek input and advice.
The first ministerial group meeting took place in September 2023, chaired by the then Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully. Ministers attended from the Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and His Majesty's Treasury. We expect these departments to make up the core membership of the group, which will meet again in March 2024.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the (a) membership and (b) annual budget is of the inter-ministerial group on tackling digital exclusion.
Answered by Saqib Bhatti - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for coordinating HMG digital inclusion policy as part of its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
We have and will continue to work with key stakeholders across Government on digital exclusion issues. Each department leads and owns relationships with stakeholders in their policy areas.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government, setting clear objectives, monitoring delivery, and engaging with relevant sector experts to seek input and advice.
The first ministerial group meeting took place in September 2023, chaired by the then Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully. Ministers attended from the Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and His Majesty's Treasury. We expect these departments to make up the core membership of the group, which will meet again in March 2024.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she will implement (a) Section 61 to 65 and (b) the remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We are aiming to implement all remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 by the end of 2024.
These provisions are complex, and it is important we ensure they are commenced in a manner that effectively delivers the changes legislated for by Parliament in the Act.
DSIT officials will continue to keep stakeholders informed of progress, including more detailed information on likely timelines when appropriate.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of instructing Ofcom to (a) monitor compliance by (i) network operators and (ii) contractors using Openreach ducts and (b) require registration from any organisation using Openreach ducts to help ensure the (A) resilience of the UK’s networks and (B) security of national infrastructure.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Openreach has commercial contracts with broadband contractors who access its ducts and poles. These contracts include detailed requirements on how Openreach should be notified of where and when companies will be building fibre. It is ultimately a commercial decision for Openreach to decide how it enforces these contracts, and we understand it already has an active non-compliance process in place.
If there are concerns that competition issues might arise from the enforcement of these commercial contracts, these should be raised with Ofcom. Ofcom’s Openreach Monitoring Unit ensures that the company meets expectations in how it deals with both its customers and its competitors.
DSIT engages with Ofcom and Openreach on a regular basis and no concerns have been raised to date regarding the use of Openreach ducts by other companies and contractors. DSIT will continue to monitor potential risks to the cyber, physical and personnel security of telecoms infrastructure and assess the need for intervention, based on advice from NCSC and NPSA.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
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 (a) ensure the security of network infrastructure and (b) prevent unauthorised access to fibre lines during the (i) installation and (ii) utilisation of Openreach ducting.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) works with Ofcom, UK technical authorities (the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Protective Security Authority) and industry to identify risks and ensure the security of telecoms network infrastructure.
Through the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and working with the National Cyber Security Centre and Ofcom, we have one of the toughest telecoms cyber security regimes in the world with the Electronic Communications (Security Measures) Regulations 2022 and Code of Practice. These place stringent obligations on providers of public telecoms networks to protect those networks against security threats. The Act also created new national security powers to manage and control the use of high-risk vendors in the UK’s telecoms network.
DSIT also works with the National Protective Security Agency (NPSA) in developing telecoms security policies. The NPSA advises government and industry on the physical security of infrastructure, including its installation.
DSIT will continue to develop policies to address significant risks to the cyber, physical and personnel security of telecoms infrastructure where necessary, based on advice from the NPSA and NCSC.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of (a) railway signals, (b) motorway signs and (c) cash machines that rely on the public switched telephone network.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The change to digital landlines will affect many sectors of the economy. Generally, we cannot definitively comment on the number or proportion of any services and devices that rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). They are procured from various manufacturers and function differently depending on their make. Many services and devices are also purchased privately by individuals or businesses who have no obligation to supply us with this information.
Having said that, we know that an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK currently use telecare services. Of these, roughly 1.3 million use alarms in their own homes and 0.5 million in a range of care homes, supported housing and sheltered living arrangements. There are multiple different telecare manufacturers; the make-up of their devices, including their connectivity solution, depends on the provider.
We understand that National Highways do not have any motorway signs that depend on the PSTN, as they own and operate their own switched network. With regards to railway signals, Network Rail has a migration programme for its estate but does not use PSTN telephony for its signals.
DSIT convenes the relevant government departments, agencies and stakeholders to a Cross Whitehall meeting on a quarterly basis to encourage all parties to consider the potential impacts of the PSTN migration on their respective sectors.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) traffic lights, (b) CCTV cameras and (c) telecare systems rely on the public switched telephone network.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The change to digital landlines will affect many sectors of the economy. Generally, we cannot definitively comment on the number or proportion of any services and devices that rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). They are procured from various manufacturers and function differently depending on their make. Many services and devices are also purchased privately by individuals or businesses who have no obligation to supply us with this information.
Having said that, we know that an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK currently use telecare services. Of these, roughly 1.3 million use alarms in their own homes and 0.5 million in a range of care homes, supported housing and sheltered living arrangements. There are multiple different telecare manufacturers; the make-up of their devices, including their connectivity solution, depends on the provider.
We understand that National Highways do not have any motorway signs that depend on the PSTN, as they own and operate their own switched network. With regards to railway signals, Network Rail has a migration programme for its estate but does not use PSTN telephony for its signals.
DSIT convenes the relevant government departments, agencies and stakeholders to a Cross Whitehall meeting on a quarterly basis to encourage all parties to consider the potential impacts of the PSTN migration on their respective sectors.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what financial support has UK Research and Innovation given to catapults in each of the last five years.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The UK’s nine Catapults fuel economic growth in the UK by enabling innovative businesses to turn great ideas into reality. Between April 2018 and March 2023 the Catapults received the financial support set out below from UKRI. These figures are based on committed spend and include core grant funding and additional, competitive funding won by Catapults from UKRI in collaboration with businesses. They exclude spend from other Government departments and Arms Length Bodies.
Financial Year | Spend |
2018/2019 2019/2020 | £310m £317m |
2020/2021 | £348m |
2021/2022 | £346m |
2022/2023 | £367m |
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much and what proportion of the Project Gigabit fund has been allocated as of 15 November 2023.
Answered by John Whittingdale
Up to £5 billion of funding is available through Project Gigabit, which was launched in 2021 to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to premises across the UK that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. The programme is scheduled to run until 2030.
We have already made over £2 billion of funding available to suppliers through our live procurements and contracts. In addition, the Government is providing up to £210 million through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
Asked by: Chris Bryant (Labour - Rhondda)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what comparative assessment she has made of how the UK compares to other European nations on its proportion of (a) 4G and (b) 5G coverage.
Answered by John Whittingdale
Coverage methodologies and metrics vary across countries, so it is difficult to make like for like comparisons.
For ease of comparison, we have used premises coverage for 4G, which is available outside 99.9% of UK premises. However, the Shared Rural Network programme will help extend coverage to 95% of the UK landmass. According to the most recent data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the UK compares favourably with population coverage across Europe, and slightly ahead of comparator countries including France at 99%, Spain at 99.6% and Germany at 99.8%.
Basic, non-standalone 5G is available outside 85% of UK premises. According to data from the EU Observatory, the UK’s 5G rollout progress is above the EU average which stands at 81% population coverage. However, the UK falls slightly behind the average of comparator countries' non-standalone 5G progress with Italy at 99%, Germany at 93% and France at 88%.
The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published earlier this year, announced the Government’s vision for wireless connectivity and shared a new ambition for nationwide coverage of higher quality, standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.