Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of the closure of (a) Heathrow Airport, (b) Gatwick Airport, (c) Manchester Airport, (d) Stansted Airport, (e) Luton Airport and (f) Glasgow Airport for (i) one hour and (ii) one day.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No assessment has been made of the economic cost of the closure of airspace around a major airport or the closure of an airport.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the economic cost of the closure of airspace around a major airport for (a) one hour and (b) one day.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No assessment has been made of the economic cost of the closure of airspace around a major airport or the closure of an airport.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom about the UK's position on satellite spectrum rules prior to the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 and associated working party meetings.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the importance of satellite connectivity, including in rural areas, and is assessing the available technical evidence on EPFD limits and their potential implications for spectrum use, broadband connectivity and competition between providers.
The Department regularly engages with Ofcom on international spectrum matters, including EPFD studies being undertaken in ITU-R Working Party 4A and preparations for WRC-27. These discussions will help inform the UK's position in international negotiations on satellite spectrum.
The UK’s approach to discussions on all spectrum matters, including equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits is evidence-based and informed by broader strategic objectives, including economic growth, innovation, connectivity, resilience and national security.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of updating equivalent power flux density limits on (a) satellite broadband connectivity in rural areas and (b) competition among providers of rural broadband services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the importance of satellite connectivity, including in rural areas, and is assessing the available technical evidence on EPFD limits and their potential implications for spectrum use, broadband connectivity and competition between providers.
The Department regularly engages with Ofcom on international spectrum matters, including EPFD studies being undertaken in ITU-R Working Party 4A and preparations for WRC-27. These discussions will help inform the UK's position in international negotiations on satellite spectrum.
The UK’s approach to discussions on all spectrum matters, including equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits is evidence-based and informed by broader strategic objectives, including economic growth, innovation, connectivity, resilience and national security.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what position her Department will take on the reform of equivalent power flux density limits at the October 2026 meeting of the International Telecommunication Union's Radiocommunication Sector's Working Party 4A.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the importance of satellite connectivity, including in rural areas, and is assessing the available technical evidence on EPFD limits and their potential implications for spectrum use, broadband connectivity and competition between providers.
The Department regularly engages with Ofcom on international spectrum matters, including EPFD studies being undertaken in ITU-R Working Party 4A and preparations for WRC-27. These discussions will help inform the UK's position in international negotiations on satellite spectrum.
The UK’s approach to discussions on all spectrum matters, including equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits is evidence-based and informed by broader strategic objectives, including economic growth, innovation, connectivity, resilience and national security.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the economic cost to the UK economy of the closure of a major UK airport for (a) one hour and (b) one day.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The recovery from the NATS disruption on 8 September is ongoing and it is therefore too soon to estimate the full economic cost to the UK economy. However, I am under no illusion that the economic cost of the recent incident is incredibly significant. Therefore, we need to learn the lessons from what has happened to ensure that we can minimise the chance of disruption of this kind happening again.
Following the disruption, on 9 September NATS agreed to undertake a rapid review, reporting to us by 16 September, setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. We have also asked the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to undertake an independent review of the incident, which is expected to report within six months.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve digital literacy amongst children and young people in relation to the proposed under-16s social media ban.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Media Literacy Action Plan prioritises preparing children and young people for a digital future. This includes strengthening media literacy education through the curriculum and updated RSHE guidance, covering AI and misinformation. We are also supporting parents and carers with trusted advice and practical tools through the Kids Online Safety Hub. This is complemented by work on digital inclusion, ensuring children and young people have the access, skills and confidence to benefit from technology.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to engage with (a) children and young people and (b) parents in the development and implementation of the proposed under-16s social media ban.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
We are committed to hearing from voices across the United Kingdom, and our consultation heard from over 116,000 people, including nearly 6,000 young people. This included direct engagement with children, young people and parents - including a visit to Citadel Youth Centre in Edinburgh and working with Scottish youth representative bodies to reach seldom-heard voices.
We will continue this engagement as we prepare for the restrictions so that young people understand what is changing and why, parents feel supported and informed, and the trusted adults and organisations who work with young people every day can share clear and accurate information.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement her Department has had with the Scottish Youth Parliament on the proposed under-16s social media ban.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
We are committed to hearing from voices across the United Kingdom, and our consultation heard from over 116,000 people, including nearly 6,000 young people. This included direct engagement with children, young people and parents - including a visit to Citadel Youth Centre in Edinburgh and working with Scottish youth representative bodies to reach seldom-heard voices.
We will continue this engagement as we prepare for the restrictions so that young people understand what is changing and why, parents feel supported and informed, and the trusted adults and organisations who work with young people every day can share clear and accurate information.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department (a) has undertaken or (b) plans to undertake a Children's Rights Impact Assessment of the proposed under-16s social media ban.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will consider the impact on children's rights as part of its implementation of the announced restrictions on social media services offering their services to under 16s.