Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of open access fibre networks on broadband rollout targets.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As set out in the 2018 Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, the Government believes competition is the best way to rapidly increase the deployment of gigabit-capable networks, including full fibre, across the UK. Companies are free to decide their own business model, for example whether they run only as a network operator, only as an internet service provider or if they operate as a vertically integrated business. Companies are also free to decide which companies they partner with. Some companies have decided to be open access, while others have adopted other models.

While the Government has not conducted research specifically on the impact of open access fibre networks on broadband rollout targets, the current pro-competition approach has been successful in increasing gigabit-capable networks in the UK from less than 10% coverage in 2019 to more than 80% coverage today. More than 100 companies with various business models across the UK helped with this rapid rollout - the fastest rate in Europe. Consumers also benefit from competitive broadband prices. In difficult to reach areas which might not be commercially viable, the government has invested £5bn to incentivise the rollout of gigabit capable networks.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, to what proportion of new build housing developments independent network operators provide broadband connections.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.

Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, to what proportion of new build housing developments Openreach provides broadband connections.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.

Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on providers of broadband connections to new build housing developments.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 came into force from 26th December 2022 to ensure that new homes in England are future-proofed and have access to the fastest broadband. The Regulations require developers of new build homes in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premise, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next best technology connection available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and then at least a broadband connection is required.

Thinkbroadband statistics for homes built in 2023 indicate that 98% of new homes developed across the UK have access to a gigabit-connection through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

The provision of Gigabit infrastructure for new build homes comes from many different network operators including Openreach and alternative ‘altnet’ providers. It is open to developers to secure multiple connections through this infrastructure. Some housing developers have made arrangements to ensure that new build developments are served by multiple network operators providing access to numerous broadband service providers. The Department does not hold data on the proportion of new build housing developments to which network operators provide broadband connections but further information on the breakdown of the new build home broadband market is available from ISPreview.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his planned timetable is for introducing contactless ticketing in Southend West constituency.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

We have announced that Contactless Pay as you go (PAYG) ticketing will be rolled out to Chalkwell and Leigh-on-Sea in during 2024. This is part of our commitment to rollout contactless PAYG to more stations across the south east. Further details on the exact date for launch will be announced in due course.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Robin Walker (Chair); Mrs Flick Drummond; Anna Firth; Nick

Found: Q141 Anna Firth: What are the lessons learned for the future?

Found: Q141 Anna Firth: What are the lessons learned for the future?

Found: Q196 Anna Firth: We have covered a bit of this question.

Found: Q196 Anna Firth: We have covered a bit of this question.

Found: Ayes, 3 Anna Firth Scott Mann Kieran Mullan Noes, 1 Alison Thewliss Question accordingly

The Education Committee will examine boys’ educational attainment and engagement.

Submit Evidence (by 24 May 2024)

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into international students in English universities.