Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83372 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, if she will publish the evidential basis behind the conclusion that the electric vehicle pavement channels grant is not a subsidy.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We have assessed the grant under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and determined that it is not a subsidy.

A subsidy is financial assistance that conforms with the four tests set out in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 2(1) of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. In this case, funding will be issued to local authorities who will pay for the installation of cross-pavement solutions at the appropriate market rate for this service. Payments for such installations will not ‘confer an economic advantage on one or more enterprises’ as set out in section 2(1)(b) of the Act, because installers will be paid at the market rate for such services. To the extent that residents who receive pavement channels are the indirect beneficiaries of the fund, they are not ‘Enterprises’ according to the Act.

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 implications for her policies of the requirement to amend the Electronic Communications Code (2017), a reserved matter, to enable access to multi-dwelling units (MDUs) for broadband installation in Scotland; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not including Scotland in the scope of any forthcoming consultation on the rollout of this digital infrastructure in Scotland compared to England and Wales.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We recognise the importance of gigabit-capable broadband connectivity for residents of multi-dwelling units (MDUs) across the UK. We continue to engage with the Scottish Government to understand if any measures are required to aid deployment in these property types in Scotland.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to Written Statement HCWS867, whether the devolution settlement would prevent the Scottish Government from taking any of the same actions in Scotland.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

We are working closely with the Devolved Governments on a range of issues related to the deployment of digital infrastructure. This includes improving access and collaborating to deliver Project Gigabit - the UK Government’s nationwide programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. In addition, the UK Government is supporting the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% programme, which aims to ensure homes and businesses across Scotland have access to faster broadband.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to Written Statement of 21 July 2025 entitled Boosting growth by removing barriers to digital infrastructure deployment, HCWS867, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on extending the consultation on accessing blocks of flats to Scotland.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats has been published on 15^th December and closes on 16^th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the consultation does not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003 (the Electronic Communications Code) provides operators rights to install, maintain and upgrade electronic communications apparatus to properties and applies across the UK. Part 4A of the code contains specific measures to address access issues in multi-dwelling units, including blocks of flats, when a landlord is repeatedly unresponsive.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that multi-dwelling units can be accessed for the purpose of broadband installation in Scotland under schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats has been published on 15^th December and closes on 16^th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the consultation does not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003 (the Electronic Communications Code) provides operators rights to install, maintain and upgrade electronic communications apparatus to properties and applies across the UK. Part 4A of the code contains specific measures to address access issues in multi-dwelling units, including blocks of flats, when a landlord is repeatedly unresponsive.

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Found: Bathgate and Linlithgow) The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Stephen Flynn

Found: @RichardLochheadMSP FOI 202500483490 DOCUMENT 2 CORRESPONDENCE ITEM 1 From: Rt Hon Stephen Flynn