Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what additional access to digital connectivity will he provide to ensure that those from lower socio-economic communities have equal access to broadband.

The UK broadband market is very competitive with a variety of packages at different price points to meet the needs of different consumers. In addition, both BT and KCOM offer lower cost landline and broadband packages for those in receipt of qualifying state benefits.

The Government is also committed to improving broadband across the country to ensure that all communities have the access that they need, including those from lower socio-economic groups. We have introduced the broadband Universal Service Obligation, which gives everyone the right to request decent broadband providing at least 10 Mbps download speeds up to a Reasonable Cost Threshold of £3,400 per premise. In addition, we are committed to delivering even faster, nationwide gigabit capable broadband as soon as possible. We will be investing £5 billion to subsidise deployment to the least commercial 20% of premises in the country.

In recognition of the particular challenges that communities are facing at the current time as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has also agreed a package of measures with the UK's fixed and mobile providers to support consumers, particularly the most vulnerable. As part of these commitments, providers have agreed to provide new and generous offers to their vulnerable customers, ranging from free mobile data boosts to free landline calls, and to lift all broadband data caps.