Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
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 trends in notices to quit issued under paragraph 31 of the Electronic Communications Code; and what comparative assessment she has made of those trends with the valuation provisions introduced by the 2017 Code reforms.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government wants operators to work collaboratively with site providers to reach agreements for siting mobile infrastructure. Masts may be removed or relocated for a range of reasons, and this is a commercial matter for the parties involved. The Department does not track the number of mobile masts that are removed. however, we engage regularly with mobile operators to understand the challenges they face in redeploying equipment following Notices to Quit.
We recognise operators’ concerns about the impact of Notices to Quit on the deployment of mobile infrastructure as operators search for alternative sites to host equipment. To help mitigate impacts on local coverage and capacity, the Government’s recent Call for Evidence on planning reform proposed extending the period during which equipment can be deployed on an emergency basis without planning permission from 18 to 36 months. This would allow operators to maintain local connectivity while they identify and deploy to permanent sites. We are considering responses to the Call for Evidence and will determine next steps in due course.
Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, relating to the renewal of certain telecoms site rental agreements, came into force on 7 April 2026. These measures will bring greater consistency in how land used for telecommunications purposes is valued.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
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 implementing sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 on existing mobile mast sites and on the number of notices to quit issued under paragraph 31 of the Electronic Communications Code.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government wants operators to work collaboratively with site providers to reach agreements for siting mobile infrastructure. Masts may be removed or relocated for a range of reasons, and this is a commercial matter for the parties involved. The Department does not track the number of mobile masts that are removed. however, we engage regularly with mobile operators to understand the challenges they face in redeploying equipment following Notices to Quit.
We recognise operators’ concerns about the impact of Notices to Quit on the deployment of mobile infrastructure as operators search for alternative sites to host equipment. To help mitigate impacts on local coverage and capacity, the Government’s recent Call for Evidence on planning reform proposed extending the period during which equipment can be deployed on an emergency basis without planning permission from 18 to 36 months. This would allow operators to maintain local connectivity while they identify and deploy to permanent sites. We are considering responses to the Call for Evidence and will determine next steps in due course.
Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, relating to the renewal of certain telecoms site rental agreements, came into force on 7 April 2026. These measures will bring greater consistency in how land used for telecommunications purposes is valued.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a register of mobile sites and their legal status to monitor telecoms masts at risk of removal after a site provider serves a notice to quit.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government wants operators to work collaboratively with site providers to reach agreements for siting mobile infrastructure. Masts may be removed or relocated for a range of reasons, and this is a commercial matter for the parties involved. The Department does not track the number of mobile masts that are removed. however, we engage regularly with mobile operators to understand the challenges they face in redeploying equipment following Notices to Quit.
We recognise operators’ concerns about the impact of Notices to Quit on the deployment of mobile infrastructure as operators search for alternative sites to host equipment. To help mitigate impacts on local coverage and capacity, the Government’s recent Call for Evidence on planning reform proposed extending the period during which equipment can be deployed on an emergency basis without planning permission from 18 to 36 months. This would allow operators to maintain local connectivity while they identify and deploy to permanent sites. We are considering responses to the Call for Evidence and will determine next steps in due course.
Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, relating to the renewal of certain telecoms site rental agreements, came into force on 7 April 2026. These measures will bring greater consistency in how land used for telecommunications purposes is valued.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, (i) if she is aware of the issues that some residents have encountered in creating a GOV.UK One Login, and (ii) what steps she is taking to improve the process of doing so.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
GOV.UK One Login is committed to making identity verification simple, inclusive and secure, enabling people to access government services while protecting them and the Government from fraud. While we expect GOV.UK One Login to become the primary method for accessing online government services, departments will continue to provide offline alternatives for those who prefer or are unable to use digital channels.
While most users successfully prove their identity, we recognise that some experience difficulties. The service is used by millions, and we continually monitor feedback, complaints and performance data to identify issues and drive improvements.
We are enhancing guidance, refining the user journey and introducing new identity verification routes to meet different user needs. Support is available through our contact centre and technical service desk for users who require assistance.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many and what proportion of premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband in Cornwall.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
According to the independent website, Thinkbroadband.com, over 71% of premises in Cornwall currently have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Physical Infrastructure Access fees on the rollout of high speed broadband in rural areas.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.
For this reason, while we are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any formal assessment of the impact of PIA fees on the roll-out of high-speed broadband in rural areas.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support the rollout of high speed broadband in rural areas.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Our goal is for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032, ensuring at least 99% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection.
More than £2.4 billion of Project Gigabit contracts have already been signed to connect over one million more premises with gigabit-capable broadband. These premises fall predominantly in rural areas.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the UK Space Agency will renew funding to Goonhilly Earth Station for its bilateral pilot with the US when that funding runs out in March.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The current contract between the UK Space Agency and Goonhilly Earth Station is worth up to £2 million this financial year (24/25) which includes £1.4million of funding towards the Deep Space Monitoring contract for Goonhilly to work with twelve unique missions operated by international partners. This is already delivering on the benefits of expanding existing UK capabilities, unlocking new and emerging markets and supporting the growing lunar economy. Decisions on future spend for Goonhilly Earth Station for its bilateral pilot with the US are being considered as part of the 2025 spending review.
Asked by: Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
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 space industry in Cornwall.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
During the current spending period, the Government has invested over £6.9 million to support the Cornwall region to develop its local space capabilities, enabling Spaceport Cornwall to conduct the first ever orbital launch attempt from UK soil and supporting Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd to deliver deep space commercial services. The cluster is also being supported to attract investment from international space companies, and progress Cornwall’s strategic ambitions to become a global leader in satellite operations and communications and the testing and development of spaceflight systems.