Albert Owen

The UK Broadband Impact Study - Impact Report (November 2013), an expert report by analysts SQW (with Cambridge Econometrics), estimated that the availability and take-up of faster broadband speeds since 2008 will add about £17 billion to the UK’s annual Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2024. This level of uplift contributes an average of 0.07 percentage points to real annual GVA growth over this period. It also demonstrated that the benefits will be shared across the UK, helping the rebalancing of our economy.

The UK Broadband Impact Study - Impact Report (November 2013), an expert report by analysts SQW (with Cambridge Econometrics), estimated that the availability and take-up of faster broadband speeds since 2008 will add about £17 billion to the UK’s annual Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2024. This level of uplift contributes an average of 0.07 percentage points to real annual GVA growth over this period. It also demonstrated that the benefits will be shared across the UK, helping the rebalancing of our economy.

No such specific analysis has been done but the Government commissioned research by RAND to assess the value of the provision of mobile coverage in not-spot areas. It noted that there were perceived economic benefits associated with mobile coverage and the value of this varied with the size of business in question. The findings can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412201/Mobile_network_not_spots_final_report.pdf

Ofcom’s 2014 Infrastructure Report also noted that mobile communication is vital to businesses and that 79% of small and medium-sized enterprises now use mobile phones.

Improving mobile coverage is a priority for the Government it secured a landmark agreement in December 2014 with the four mobile network operators (MNOs) to provide voice and SMS text coverage to at least 90% of the UK landmass by 2017. As a result of this legally binding obligation we also expect data coverage to improve. Furthermore, Telefonica has a licence obligation to deliver indoor 4G coverage to 98% of premises in the UK by 2017. Other MNOs have indicated that they will match this commitment. Taken together these obligations will be significantly improve coverage in the UK to benefit businesses and the digital economy.

No such specific analysis has been done but the Government commissioned research by RAND to assess the value of the provision of mobile coverage in not-spot areas. It noted that there were perceived economic benefits associated with mobile coverage and the value of this varied with the size of business in question. The findings can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/412201/Mobile_network_not_spots_final_report.pdf

Ofcom’s 2014 Infrastructure Report also noted that mobile communication is vital to businesses and that 79% of small and medium-sized enterprises now use mobile phones.

Improving mobile coverage is a priority for the Government it secured a landmark agreement in December 2014 with the four mobile network operators (MNOs) to provide voice and SMS text coverage to at least 90% of the UK landmass by 2017. As a result of this legally binding obligation we also expect data coverage to improve. Furthermore, Telefonica has a licence obligation to deliver indoor 4G coverage to 98% of premises in the UK by 2017. Other MNOs have indicated that they will match this commitment. Taken together these obligations will be significantly improve coverage in the UK to benefit businesses and the digital economy.

I have not had such discussions yet. As part of the 800MHz spectrum auction Telefonica has a licence condition requiring them to deliver 4G coverage to 98% of UK premises (and a minimum of 95% of premises in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) by 2017. Other mobile network operators have publicly stated an intention to match this coverage, so consumers should benefit from greater choice and greater coverage. Ofcom’s Infrastructure Report shows that as of June 2014 44% of premises in Wales had 4G coverage and 79% of Wales received 3G coverage.

The Government is developing a 25 year environment plan for England, which will include biodiversity. Biodiversity policy is a devolved matter but we will continue to talk to the devolved administrations throughout the development of the plan, including through the Four Countries Biodiversity Group.

UK Overseas Territory (OT) Governments are constitutionally responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environments. The Government cherishes the environmental assets of the OTs and we work with the Territory Governments to provide the support needed to ensure these are maintained. The 2012 White Paper on the UK’s OTs “Security, Success and Sustainability” and the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy are key tools in achieving this. The Government hopes to provide its next report on its activity to support this strategy in the autumn.

We have studied the evidence about displacement of environmental impacts associated with a global economy and this will be considered as part of our work to develop the 25 year environment plan. The Government already works to reduce the effect of UK production and consumption on the environment, for example through specific policies which promote the sustainable production and trade of palm oil, timber and woodfuel, thereby reducing the impact of their production on biodiversity in other countries.

The Government is developing a 25 year environment plan for England, which will include biodiversity. Biodiversity policy is a devolved matter but we will continue to talk to the devolved administrations throughout the development of the plan, including through the Four Countries Biodiversity Group.

UK Overseas Territory (OT) Governments are constitutionally responsible for the protection and conservation of their natural environments. The Government cherishes the environmental assets of the OTs and we work with the Territory Governments to provide the support needed to ensure these are maintained. The 2012 White Paper on the UK’s OTs “Security, Success and Sustainability” and the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy are key tools in achieving this. The Government hopes to provide its next report on its activity to support this strategy in the autumn.

We have studied the evidence about displacement of environmental impacts associated with a global economy and this will be considered as part of our work to develop the 25 year environment plan. The Government already works to reduce the effect of UK production and consumption on the environment, for example through specific policies which promote the sustainable production and trade of palm oil, timber and woodfuel, thereby reducing the impact of their production on biodiversity in other countries.

We are putting in place an ambitious 25-year plan to promote and grow our world-leading food and farming industry, encouraging enterprise and boosting productivity right across the food chain.

In addition, Defra is currently investing £4.2 million over three years in the Sustainable Intensification research Platform (SIP). This is designed to investigate integrated approaches for farmers to produce more food whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing biodiversity, and the natural environment in general. The SIP will also develop tools to enable decision-makers to balance our need to produce more British food with the need to protect our natural resources.

The Government is currently developing the framework that will guide the development of a 25-year environment plan for England, which will include biodiversity. Biodiversity policy is a devolved issue, but we will maintain a constructive dialogue with the Devolved Administrations throughout the development of the plan, through the Four Countries Biodiversity Group.

The Government will, of course, ensure that these two long-term approaches complement each other.

The rollout of superfast broadband is a key priority. The £778m Superfast Broadband Programme will provide 95% of UK premises with access to superfast broadband by the end of 2017.

The RPA online system had been designed to operate on older dial-up internet connection speeds. In addition, many farmers in rural areas have affordable access to satellite broadband connection and the RPA had mobile satellite units to assist those in very hard to reach areas. In 2015, farmers were given the option of paper-based application.

Labour presided over the longest and deepest recession since the war.

We have taken action to elevate the impact on households.

For example, rural households spend a large proportion of their income on travel.

We have reduced fuel duty meaning pump prices are 13p per litre lower than they would have been under Labour's plans.

This means it is £7 cheaper for motorists every time they fill their tank.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes mid-year estimates of population for Wales. Estimates of the numbers of people aged 18 and above in each local authority area in Wales over the last ten years is provided below. The latest available data, for mid-2014, was published on 25 June 2015.