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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what funds have been earmarked for the completion of the full-fibre network in the UK; and when they expect to deliver a nationwide full-fibre network.

This Government is investing record amounts to level up digital infrastructure across the UK. We are already connecting some of the hardest to reach places in the country, through our Superfast broadband programme and £200 million Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme. In addition, we have pledged a further £5bn to ensure no part of the country is left behind.

Our aim is for nationwide coverage of gigabit-capable networks, including full fibre, as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made by the Government, working with the telecoms industry, to support network rollout and deployment is starting to increase at pace. For example, we have introduced the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill into Parliament, which will make it easier for network builders to access blocks of flats where there is an absent or unresponsive landlord.