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 local authorities to develop in‑house digital and connectivity expertise, to improve the interpretation and use of mobile coverage and performance data.

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for reporting on network coverage and availability across the UK. This data should be presented in an accessible format for all types of user, including local authorities.

Government believes Digital Champions can play a key role in advancing the digital connectivity agenda - and help local communities to realise the benefits advanced connectivity can bring. We encourage local and combined authorities to appoint them as dedicated officers where possible, to help improve the interpretation and use of mobile coverage and performance data.

More details on the role that Digital Champions can play can be found on Digital Connectivity Portal. The Portal is an extensive online resource providing best practice guidance helping local authorities to facilitate digital infrastructure deployment. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/digital-strategy-and-leadership#digital-champion.