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Public Telephones: Urban Areas

Asked by Max WilkinsonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 10 June 2026UIN 6281

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with BT about its duty to maintain or remove disused, dilapidated and eyesore telephone boxes on high streets.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

There have been no ministerial meetings with BT about Public Call Boxes.

UK public call boxes have fallen from around 92,000 (early 1990s) to around 11,000 in 2025.

My department’s officials are aware of the issues that can occur and are actively having discussions with BT and other government departments to understand and address these issues.

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