Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of the space industry in the UK.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Space is a strategic priority for this government and is essential to achieving our mission to deliver growth as a priority. The National Space Strategy and our identified priority capability goals continue to drive government policy.
We will publish an ambitious programme for space when the Spending Review has completed.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the broadcasting sector's contribution to telecoms resilience.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The broadcasting sector plays an important role in enhancing telecoms resilience by providing robust infrastructure and rapidly circulating news and information to the public during emergencies. DSIT collaborates with TV and radio broadcast and telecom operators through the Electronic Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG) industry forum, sharing best practices and strengthening the networks to ensure the continuity of communication services and public safety during crises. Both DSIT and DCMS (who have responsibility for the broadcast sector) recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration to maintain and enhance telecoms resilience.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to increase the uptake of broadband provision (a) across the country and (b) in rural areas.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is committed to delivering 2030 nationwide gigabit connectivity coverage, with 86% of premises now able to access a gigabit-capable connection thanks to a pro-competition regulatory environment.
Take-up is just as important as roll-out. This is primarily the responsibility of industry, but the government is encouraged to see increasing levels of gigabit take-up, and in particular the positive effects of the industry launch of the One Touch Switch (OTS) and terminology changes from Ofcom last year. We continue to work with industry towards greater roll-out and take-up.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that mobile network investment through the Shared Rural Network programme prioritises improving connectivity in rural communities; whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) effectiveness and (b) environmental impact of the Total Not Spot initiative (i) in Scotland's National Parks and wildland areas and (ii) nationally; and whether he plans to review the allocation of resources between (A) addressing partial connectivity in populated rural areas and (B) installing infrastructure in remote, depopulated locations.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Shared Rural Network is designed to improve connectivity where people live, work, travel and visit. In very rural parts of Scotland, digital connectivity is vital for visitors, emergency services, lone workers and businesses utilising new technology.
To minimise environmental impact, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment will consider a range of factors to strike a balance between improving connectivity and minimising impact on the surrounding landscape. All masts will comply with planning rules for these areas and go through the proper planning process, with local planning authorities responsible for reviewing applications. Achieving a perfect balance between enhanced connectivity and environmental protection will not be easy, but I am keen to see a more sympathetic approach that focuses most on where people really need a secure connection.