Mobile Phone and Broadband Prices

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 9th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

As part of that merger, there was a commitment to invest £11 billion in infrastructure. That is a very important part of the continued rollout of our digital infrastructure, and it is monitored through Ofcom’s Connected Nations report, which is published regularly.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, with the growing emphasis and reliance on—and need for—mobile phones and broadband to undertake business and personal issues throughout the UK, and with problems regarding physical impediments in rural areas, will my noble friend the Minister have immediate discussions with her ministerial counterparts in the devolved Administrations to ensure that there is better connectivity with those broadband companies and the regulator, to ensure better access for all?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

It is very important that there is connectivity across all the nations, and geographic coverage targets do include all nations. Many of the programmes in place to support the commercial rollout prioritise those rural areas, including for example in Scotland, Northern Ireland and across the devolved nations, so that all people can benefit from increased connectivity.