VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Broadband: Infrastructure

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 18 June 2025UIN 59895

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to review the Electronic Communications Code on (a) broadband infrastructure and (b) local visual amenity.

Answered by Chris Bryant

I wrote to operators on 16 August 2024 calling on them to consider revising the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice to take into account communities’ concerns. The industry answered my call by convening the Telecommunications Poles Working Group, which has published best practice recommendations setting out expectations for operators who plan to deploy telegraph poles, including how to minimise the impact on the visual amenity of the local area. My department will monitor the impact of this new guidance before taking any further steps.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim