Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will ensure that the 5,443 properties descoped from Project Gigabit in Mid Bedfordshire constituency in May 2026 are added to a future programme.

As a result of the recent changes agreed by Building Digital UK (BDUK) and CityFibre, the earlier stages of the Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes contract will proceed as planned, and premises in the later stages will be removed from the contract. These changes aim to minimise the overlap with other suppliers’ commercial network plans and ensure best use of public funding.

Prior to the redesign, approximately 3,870 premises in Mid Bedfordshire constituency were included in this Project Gigabit contract. Approximately 2,100 premises remain in scope of this contract. Of the descoped premises, around 1,050 already have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection or are included in future commercial delivery plans.

For the remaining 720 premises, BDUK is working with other suppliers to identify alternative solutions for premises which still require support as quickly as possible. A market engagement consultation for suppliers was published on 1 June to confirm supplier interest in relation to the premises that still need coverage in the affected areas.