Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of the High-Risk Building regime on the Government’s target of achieving 99% gigabit-capable broadband coverage by 2032; and what discussions her Department has had with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on this issue.

Building and fire safety, including the Higher-Risk Building regulatory framework, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The department continues to work closely with MHCLG to assess and mitigate delays experienced by the telecoms sector, including those faced by fixed network operators, as a result of the higher-risk building safety regime.

We remain committed to removing barriers to the deployment of digital infrastructure and to delivering 99% gigabit-capable coverage by 2032.