Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve digital connectivity in (a) rural and (b) coastal communities.

We recognise that poor internet access can pose significant challenges for rural and coastal communities. The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit broadband. We now expect this target to be reached by 2032. The government also wants all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030.

Through Project Gigabit, government is delivering fast, reliable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans.

4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator has now reached over 95% of the UK landmass due to the Shared Rural Network, and we continue to work with the industry to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is limited or no coverage.