Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which locations in the East Riding of Yorkshire will receive improved mobile coverage under the Shared Rural Network.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
We are unable to give specific details of where the Shared Rural Network (SRN) will deliver mobile coverage uplifts at this stage. However, we can confirm that, by the end of the programme, Yorkshire and The Humber will see 4G connectivity from all four mobile network operators increase to 90% from 81%, and from at least one mobile network operator expand from 95% to 99%.
The SRN is not the only focus for infrastructure investment for mobile connectivity. Mobile network operators independently invest around £2 billion annually in enhancing and improving their networks.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to help ensure that broadband internet access is affordable for people in receipt of low incomes and benefits; what steps he is taking to encourage the roll out of an affordable social tariff, including allowing consumers to switch providers more easily; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Matt Warman
In recent months, we have been working closely with industry to increase the level of affordable provision in the market for low income households. As a result of our engagement with industry, a range of broadband social tariff packages are now available to support those on low incomes or who receive certain income-based benefits. Earlier this month, BT launched a Home Essentials package which will provide fibre and voice services to those on Universal Credit starting at £15 per month. Virgin, Hyperoptic and other providers offer similar packages to assist households on low incomes. Between them, these products are available to 99% of households across the country.
The Government continues to encourage more fixed-line providers to introduce a social tariff and we will continue to monitor the provision in the market. We will keep the House informed of developments in this area.
In December 2020, the Government strengthened Ofcom's consumer protection rules, to ensure that consumers can access the right information to make informed decisions about new services, have stronger contract rights, and switch providers more easily. Ofcom also published its Vulnerability Guide in July 2020, setting out how the sector should support vulnerable households struggling to pay their bills.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the rules, restrictions and bans on advertising products or services in on-line adverts are as similar as possible to rules governing mainstream media advertising; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Caroline Dinenage
Advertising standards in the UK are set out in the CAP (The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing) and BCAP (The UK Code of Broadcast Advertising) codes. The BCAP code for broadcasting is enforced by a co-regulatory relationship between the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Ofcom, where Ofcom acts as the ASA’s legal backstop for broadcast advertising. This means failure of an advertiser to stick to an ASA ruling could result in them being referred to Ofcom, who have the power to take legal action. More information about this agreement can be found here: https://www.asa.org.uk/uploads/assets/23cc61df-e57c-4957-81ac15378b7730b7/mou-asa-ofcom.pdf
For the CAP code for non-broadcast advertising, the ASA acts as the industry’s self-regulator. My department is looking at the wider regulatory framework for advertising online through the Online Advertising Programme. In 2019 Government launched a call for evidence on this issue and we will be consulting on this later this year.
Government’s aim is to foster fair, accountable and ethical online advertising that works for citizens, businesses and society as a whole. In particular, we want to ensure standards about the placement and content of advertising can be effectively applied and enforced online so that consumers have limited exposure to harmful or misleading advertising. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-advertising-call-for-evidence/online-advertising-call-for-evidence#introduction
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of whether there has been an increase in loneliness and isolation due to the covid-19 outbreak and the onset of winter, particularly in respect of people living in rural areas; what support and funding is available to tackle loneliness and isolation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Whittingdale
Emerging evidence from sources including the Office for National Statistics and University College London suggests that whilst the overall number of people feeling lonely has remained stable during Covid-19, those already likely to experience loneliness may be at a higher risk of feeling lonely during the pandemic. Studies on loneliness during the pandemic have not explored the differences between rural and urban areas. In general, evidence from the Community Life Survey suggests there is no significant difference in loneliness levels between rural areas and urban areas.
Government has provided support to tackle loneliness and isolation during the pandemic, including issuing guidance on how people can help themselves and others safely, and a new cross-sector Tackling Loneliness Network. Since the start of the pandemic, the government has provided £23 million to over 1100 charities who undertake activities that tackle loneliness. This has been awarded as part of the government’s £750 million charity funding package.
We will shortly launch a further £4 million fund, together with the National Lottery Community Fund, targeted at small local charities and grassroots groups. There will be two application rounds next year, with local groups able to apply for up to £2 500 each through this fund.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reasons fibre cables used for bringing superfast broadband to businesses and homes are taxed at the same rate as commercial buildings; what steps she is taking to tackle obstacles to investment in broadband infrastructure; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Matt Warman
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2018 paves the way for full-fibre broadband and future 5G communications. By enabling 100% business rates relief for operators who install new fibre on their networks, the Act incentivises operators to invest in the broadband network.
My Department is committed to removing barriers to investment in fibre broadband and other digital communications infrastructure. Officials within the Department’s Barrier Busting Task Force are working closely with industry to identify these barriers and bring forward measures to remove them, such as the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill which, if enacted, will create a streamlined process for operators to deploy broadband in multiple-dwelling buildings when landlords fail to respond to requests for access. The Department has also issued guidance to local authorities on ways they can support and encourage local investment in broadband through its Digital Connectivity Portal and Street Works Toolkit.
For business rates, all rateable values, including those for telecommunications networks, are assessed to the same standard of annual rental value. This ensures that all ratepayers are treated equally and that utility companies, such as gas electric and telecom networks, make a fair contribution to local services. Individual rateable values are assessed independently of Ministers by the Valuation Office Agency.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to review requirements to obtain wayleave agreements to install broadband supporting fibre cables on private properties, and what steps she is taking to improve the efficiency of that process.
Answered by Matt Warman
Agreements to install digital communications equipment - including fibre cables - on private land are underpinned by the Electronic Communications Code. My Department reformed the Code in 2017, with the aim of making it cheaper and easier for digital communications apparatus to be deployed. My Department is monitoring the impact of these reforms closely and is working with stakeholders to ensure they achieve their intended effect.
In addition, the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill received its first reading in the House of Commons on 15 October 2019. If enacted, this legislation will create a cheaper and faster process for operators to install fibre needed to provide services to tenants in multiple-dwelling buildings if a landlord repeatedly fails to respond to operator requests for access rights.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress the Government has made on the roll out of superfast broadband to rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Margot James
The Superfast programme met its original objective of delivering at least 24Mbps broadband to 95% of the population in December 2017, and is now pushing beyond 96% with an ambition to reach at least 97% coverage by March 2020.
The Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme launched in May 2019 and will run until the end of March 2021. £200 million has been allocated to the Programme, from the National Productivity Investment Fund.
This is the first step of our “Outside In” approach, as outlined in the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR), to ensure that no areas are systematically left behind when it comes to the deployment of gigabit capable broadband. The FTIR estimated that around 10% of premises in the UK would need some sort of additional funding to get this connectivity.
The RGC Programme will trial a model connecting local hubs in rural areas to gigabit capable broadband, starting with primary schools. The RGC programme also has a rural gigabit broadband voucher component, offering up to £3,500 for small businesses and up to £1,500 for residents. This will be offered to encourage greater take-up of gigabit-capable connectivity to residents and businesses in rural areas.
In addition, and not specifically Superfast Broadband, I can confirm that the Local Full Fibre Networks programme is currently working with Tyne Combined Authority on a £12m bid that will deliver full fibre connectivity in Northumberland to 313 sites, improving the addressable full fibre coverage and associated productivity gains for homes and businesses.
Asked by: Greg Knight (Conservative - East Yorkshire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to promote coastal tourism in the UK; and what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on tourism of the UK leaving the EU (a) with and (b) without a deal.
Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)
VisitBritain and VisitEngland are responsible for promoting the UK as a tourist destination, which they do through a range of different initiatives and campaigns. VisitBritain sit on the Coastal Tourism Leadership Forum (run by the National Coastal Tourism Academy), helping to shape the Coastal Visitor Economy Vision and Action Plan. DCMS are observers at the forum. VisitEngland administer the £40m Discover England Fund which develops innovative products with customisable, bookable itineraries across England. The England’s Coast project is a good example of this and includes the North East coastline in its itineraries.
My colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also provide support and funding to coastal areas through the Coastal Communities Fund and the Coastal Revival Fund, much of which has a tourism focus. They have also set up Coastal Community Teams around the country to support the development of the coastal economy.
The Tourism Sector Deal was announced on 28th June with the aim of boosting the sector’s productivity as we look forward to welcoming up to 9m more visitors a year in the future. As part of the Sector Deal, initiatives such as Tourism Zones will provide focused support for areas across the country. Coastal regions are among those who will be able to take part in the bidding process.
In terms of the impact of EU exit on tourism, we will remain an open and welcoming destination, and we want international visitors to experience all the wonderful coastlines, countryside, and culture that the UK has to offer.For example, the UK and the EU have proposed reciprocal visa-free travel arrangements to enable UK and EU citizens to continue to travel freely for tourism in the future. This is also the case in a no deal scenario. The Government has also confirmed that EU nationals can continue to travel on a national ID card until December 2020 and use e-gates when travelling on a passport.