Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had discussions with HM Treasury on alternative uses of spectrum-related revenues to support national connectivity and resilience objectives.

The resilience of the UK’s critical national infrastructure is of central importance to the essential services the public rely on. We welcome Ofcom’s review of the power resilience of mobile networks, recognising the complexity of the challenge but also the importance consumers place on being able to have uninterrupted access to mobile services.

We are currently undertaking a Mobile Market Review to consider what action the Government can take to support the sector’s ability to invest in comprehensive high-quality, secure and reliable connectivity over the long-term.

As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with HM Treasury. We are currently reviewing the responses to the call for evidence and aim to set out key findings and next steps later this year.