Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of barriers to digital connectivity in Scotland.

The Government recognises the importance of accelerating gigabit-capable broadband deployment across the UK and keeps barriers to digital connectivity under review through engagement with industry, Ofcom and the Devolved Administrations. Through Project Gigabit, contracts have been signed since 2024 to connect a further 846,770 premises across the UK, including 77,640 premises in Scotland.

Openreach is currently delivering a Project Gigabit contract covering areas across Central, Northern and Western Scotland, as well as Dumfries and Galloway. Over 6,500 premises have already gained coverage as part of this delivery. In addition to this, GoFibre is delivering Project Gigabit contracts across the North East of Scotland and the Borders and East Lothian. BDUK and The Scottish Government are due to publish delivery updates on these contracts soon.

On 14 July the then Minister for Digital Economy wrote to her Scottish Government counterpart to emphasise that DCMS officials stand ready to continue discussions on targeted measures to support broadband deployment in Scotland, particularly in relation to deployments in multi-dwelling units.