Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a cap on mid-contract price rises for broadband providers.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Government recognises that households across the country are struggling with their bills as a result of the rise in the cost of living.
The Government currently has no plans to intervene into the market to cap price increases. We would expect any such intervention would distort market competition.
However, it is essential that telecoms contracts are fair and transparent and any important clauses, such as in-contract price rises, are made clear at the point of sale.
In December 2023, Ofcom completed its review into the transparency of inflation-linked, in-contract price rises and is now consulting on proposals to ban providers from including CPI or RPI increases in their contracts. Ofcom’s proposals will require providers to set out clearly – in pounds and pence and at the point of sale – the price the consumer can expect to pay during their contractual period. Ofcom’s consultation closes on 13 February 2024. Ofcom expect to reach their final decision in the Spring.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found within their Department's estate.
Answered by George Freeman
Survey work is underway. For now, the focus is on bringing together the information we hold about the Government estate into one place. This work is being coordinated by the Office for Government Property.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member was not agreed to by (a) a Minister and (b) their office on behalf of a Minister in the last 12 months.
Answered by George Freeman
This information is not centrally collated and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Ministers will regularly seek to engage with hon. Members, whilst balancing wider Ministerial and Parliamentary responsibilities.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many sewage leaks have been recorded within their Department's estate in the last twelve months.
Answered by George Freeman
The Department for Science, Technology & Innovation was created on 7th February 2023, and this response relates to the Department’s main occupation at 1 Victoria Street, London, and where it is a significant tenant.
The number of sewage leaks at 1 Victoria Street was 0 (zero).
This building is also the main occupation of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, and also contains a significant proportion of staff who work for the Department for Business & Trade.