Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of switching off digital terrestrial television on levels of digital and social exclusion among older people, disabled people, those on low incomes and people in rural areas; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing specific mitigation measures to protect those groups in the event of such a switch off, including financial support, connectivity support or alternative provision of free to air television services.

The Government recognises the vital role television plays in the lives of people across the UK and the impact that the discontinuation of digital terrestrial television may have on those at risk of digital and social exclusion, including those with low incomes and in fuel poverty.

The future of digital terrestrial television is secured in legislation until at least 2034. In considering the availability of services beyond this point, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the voluntary sector, and industry to ensure all aspects of digital inclusion are considered at every stage of the decision making process.