Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what data the Government holds on levels of digital exclusion among people aged 65 and over.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for Government. That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps in February 2025 which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion.
In 2025, Ofcom reported that 13% of UK households with respondents aged 65+ had no internet access, 45% did not own a laptop, and 18% did not own a smartphone. In 2024, its Online Nation Report found that 15% of UK adults aged 65-74 were not confident in their ability to stay safe online. We estimate that only 4-16% of those aged 65 or over took part in training in digital or online skills.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress he has made on (a) publishing the work programme of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee and (b) examining the digital exclusion of elderly people within the committee.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Digital Inclusion Action Committee is an external advisory body that will work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It is made up of national and local experts to tackle digital exclusion. Its role is to scrutinise, steer and help determine the work of the government in reducing digital exclusion in every part of the UK. One of its aims will be to identify systemic barriers to digital inclusion and propose actionable solutions, particularly for underserved groups such as older people.
The terms of reference for the Digital Inclusion Action Committee were published earlier in 2025 and full membership was announced in August 2025. The members are scheduled to meet again this autumn.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of reliable broadband in rural areas to support access to essential services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering future-proofed, gigabit-capable connections nationwide, to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, including to premises in rural areas.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of digital exclusion on the quality of life for older people.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Those who cannot use digital technologies are likely to pay more for certain transactions, have worse health outcomes, and find it more difficult to manage their finance. That’s why tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for Government.
In February we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion.
One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, including older people.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a cap on mid-contract price rises for broadband providers.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government recognises that households across the country are struggling with their bills as a result of the rise in the cost of living.
The Government currently has no plans to intervene into the market to cap price increases. We would expect any such intervention would distort market competition.
However, it is essential that telecoms contracts are fair and transparent and any important clauses, such as in-contract price rises, are made clear at the point of sale.
In December 2023, Ofcom completed its review into the transparency of inflation-linked, in-contract price rises and is now consulting on proposals to ban providers from including CPI or RPI increases in their contracts. Ofcom’s proposals will require providers to set out clearly – in pounds and pence and at the point of sale – the price the consumer can expect to pay during their contractual period. Ofcom’s consultation closes on 13 February 2024. Ofcom expect to reach their final decision in the Spring.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found within their Department's estate.
Answered by George Freeman
Survey work is underway. For now, the focus is on bringing together the information we hold about the Government estate into one place. This work is being coordinated by the Office for Government Property.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member was not agreed to by (a) a Minister and (b) their office on behalf of a Minister in the last 12 months.
Answered by George Freeman
This information is not centrally collated and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Ministers will regularly seek to engage with hon. Members, whilst balancing wider Ministerial and Parliamentary responsibilities.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many sewage leaks have been recorded within their Department's estate in the last twelve months.
Answered by George Freeman
The Department for Science, Technology & Innovation was created on 7th February 2023, and this response relates to the Department’s main occupation at 1 Victoria Street, London, and where it is a significant tenant.
The number of sewage leaks at 1 Victoria Street was 0 (zero).
This building is also the main occupation of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, and also contains a significant proportion of staff who work for the Department for Business & Trade.