Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what conversations the Department has had with relevant stakeholders regarding improving connectivity in hard-to-reach areas across the country as part of the Shared Rural Network.

The Department and its delivery partner Mova have engaged with relevant stakeholders across the country through frequent progress meetings targeted at key stakeholders from Wales, Scotland and England. Relevant stakeholders include the UK's mobile network operators, devolved governments, local authorities in rural areas, planning departments, statutory organisations, representative bodies, and key enabling stakeholders such as SSE. The Department regularly engages with MPs, MSPs and MSs on the progress of the programme through written updates and MP drop in events. Furthermore, the Department and Mova also regularly respond to enquiries from local stakeholders, including Councillors, and Parish and Community Councils.