Broadband: Scotland
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure tenants in (a) flats and (b) tenements in Scotland are included in the full fibre rollout; and whether she plans to publish a consultation on bringing forward legislative proposals to update access rules for full fibre.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan
As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 21 July we will consult on policy measures later in the autumn to create a new right for leaseholders in England and Wales to request a gigabit broadband connection and a duty for freeholders to not unreasonably refuse the request. We are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on the policy proposals and we will seek to legislate for these measures when parliamentary time allows.
Scottish Tenements are a devolved matter and governed by Scotland. We're engaging with the Devolved Nations on a range of issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including issues relating to access.
Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs) that remain not covered by commercial plans will be in scope for support for full fibre rollout through Project Gigabit.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →