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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the Inverness-model for the rapid increased delivery of access to full-fibre broadband within communities.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council, with the support of the Scottish Government, to identify where Project Gigabit might support the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal and improve digital connectivity in the region. A Public Review to confirm suppliers’ commercial plans was carried out from 7 October to 14 November 2022 and the results of this review are currently being assessed, alongside engagement with broadband providers, to identify the potential scope of a gigabit broadband procurement in the Inverness area.

BDUK is also working with the Scottish Government on options for Project Gigabit procurement activity across the rest of Scotland.