Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to provide funding to support local authority digital champions.

The Government has published information on the role of Digital Champions within the Digital Connectivity Portal. The Portal is an extensive online resource providing best practice guidance helping local authorities to facilitate digital infrastructure deployment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/digital-strategy-and-leadership#digital-champion

Whilst there are currently no plans for the Government to fund local authority digital champions we believe they play a key role in advancing the digital connectivity agenda - and help local communities to realise the benefits advanced connectivity can bring.

The Government has also awarded over £36 million to local and regional authorities as part of its 5G Innovation Regions programme. The funding will support regions to create the right conditions to accelerate the adoption of 5G and other advanced wireless connectivity in key local sectors and attract investment in advanced wireless infrastructure.