Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1702488

registered interest
date	19/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of switching from ISDN to SIP lines on the resilience of emergency service networks.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22710
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Emergency Services are operationally independent and have responsibility for the operation of emergency service control rooms that process emergency calls, as overseen by local Chief Officer and relevant Lead Government Departments, including Departments in the Devolved Administrations as applicable.</p><p> </p><p>The digital transition is industry led and the emergency services are being supported by their respective communications providers. DSIT is working closely with the lead government departments for the emergency services to provide advice on areas of risk which has prompted actions from the emergency services to increase resilience measures.</p><p> </p><p>DSIT does not hold any data on the number of silent calls received by the emergency services.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 22711 question first answered 24/04/2024 08:59:32 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702489

registered interest
date	19/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what data her Department holds on the number of silent calls received by emergency services on (a) ISDN and (b) SIP lines.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22711
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Emergency Services are operationally independent and have responsibility for the operation of emergency service control rooms that process emergency calls, as overseen by local Chief Officer and relevant Lead Government Departments, including Departments in the Devolved Administrations as applicable.</p><p> </p><p>The digital transition is industry led and the emergency services are being supported by their respective communications providers. DSIT is working closely with the lead government departments for the emergency services to provide advice on areas of risk which has prompted actions from the emergency services to increase resilience measures.</p><p> </p><p>DSIT does not hold any data on the number of silent calls received by the emergency services.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 22710 question first answered 24/04/2024 08:59:32 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702137

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021: Broadband
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act in facilitating broadband network providers’ access to multi-dwelling units to make ultrafast broadband available to tenants.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22522
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 provides Electronic Communications Code Operators with the option to apply to the courts for time-limited Code rights to be imposed in situations where a tenant of a multiple dwelling building has requested an electronic communications service, but the landlord has not responded to repeated requests for access from the operator. This process is intended to be quicker and cheaper than applying to the courts for under the standard process set out in Part 4 of the Code.</p><p> </p><p>My Department will continue to monitor the impact of this legislation through regular dialogue with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service and stakeholders, but no formal assessment has been made since the provisions came into force in December 2022 in England and Wales, and July 2023 in Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 23/04/2024 10:04:36 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702138

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Broadband: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many multi-dwelling unit freeholders are still to give permission to broadband network operators to upgrade their properties to gigabit-capable broadband.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22523
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>There are approximately 6.5m Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in the UK, of which an estimated 75% have access to a gigabit-capable connection. Of those that remain to be connected, this may be for a variety of reasons, including commercial viability, whether they are eligible for public subsidy or because they are subject to the commercial build plans of network operators, which includes ongoing negotiations with landlords of such properties.</p><p> </p><p>The Land Registry holds details of property interests in Land and Buildings in England and Wales, while the Land Register of Scotland, and the Land Registry of Northern Ireland, collect information related to Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. While we recognise that not all land in the United Kingdom is registered, the Department expects operators to refer to these sources to ascertain the identity of the owner of a property.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 22524 question first answered 23/04/2024 10:25:41 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702139

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Broadband: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support network operators in identifying freeholders of multi-dwelling units so operators can secure the permission of freeholders to upgrade broadband infrastructure so it is gigabit capable.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22524
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>There are approximately 6.5m Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in the UK, of which an estimated 75% have access to a gigabit-capable connection. Of those that remain to be connected, this may be for a variety of reasons, including commercial viability, whether they are eligible for public subsidy or because they are subject to the commercial build plans of network operators, which includes ongoing negotiations with landlords of such properties.</p><p> </p><p>The Land Registry holds details of property interests in Land and Buildings in England and Wales, while the Land Register of Scotland, and the Land Registry of Northern Ireland, collect information related to Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. While we recognise that not all land in the United Kingdom is registered, the Department expects operators to refer to these sources to ascertain the identity of the owner of a property.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 22523 question first answered 23/04/2024 10:25:41 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702140

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Broadband: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many multi-dwelling units are excluded from the requirement that new build properties should have capability to host gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 require developers of new build homes, including multi-dwelling units (MDUs), in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premises, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next-best technology connection that is available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and if this is not possible, at minimum a broadband connection.</p><p>The requirements do not apply to properties undergoing a material change of use, such as converted properties, which may form some of the MDU housing stock. This issue was considered during the Technical Consultation which ran from 21 December 2012 to 28 February 2022. However, there was a lack of evidence from the consultation responses to suggest that these types of properties should be in scope of the regulations. We do not have an up-to-date assessment of how many MDUs this currently applies to.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 23/04/2024 10:28:25 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1702216

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Mobile Phones: Social Tariffs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will hold discussions with Ofcom on changes in the number of mobile phone social tariff subscribers since July 2023.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	22519
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Government continues to work closely with Ofcom on the affordability of telecoms services, including on social tariffs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom’s December 2023 Pricing Trends report showed that 380,000 UK households now take up a social tariff, an almost 160% increase from September 2022.</p><p> </p><p>The report also notes that the majority of social tariff take-up is in the fixed broadband market, with only 3% of social tariff take-up in mobile. Ofcom noted that the lower take up of mobile social tariffs is most likely due to the fact that these products are new to the market, as well as the widespread availability of commercial ‘sim-only’ deals which can be purchased for as little as £6 per month.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 23/04/2024 10:35:27 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1701867

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice Over Internet Protocol: Power Failures
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to help ensure (a) energy companies and (b) network operators can contact consumers on the Energy Priority Services Register during a power cut once the digital switchover is complete.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22260
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>DSIT is engaging with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure robust measures are in place to mitigate any risks arising from the Public Switched Telephone (PSTN) switchover in the energy sector. The details regarding contingency plans and consumer prioritisation in the energy sector falls within DESNZ’s remit.</p><p> </p><p>DSIT works closely on a range of resilience issues in partnership with industry, through the Electronic Communications Resilience &amp; Response Group (EC-RRG), who engage in regular dialogue with the Energy Networks Association across a range of issues to help strengthen resilience between the telecoms and energy sectors.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) also recently consulted on proposals to establish a multi-sector Priority Services Register to enable better data sharing between providers of gas, water, electricity, and telecoms providers, and allow consumers to be registered as vulnerable across sectors. The consultation closed in January 2024, with a response expected in due course.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 22/04/2024 09:02:38 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1701868

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice Over Internet Protocol: Telemedicine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is monitoring how many retrospective checks have been conducted on forcibly migrated households to investigate if they had telecare devices.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22261
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>It is the Government’s utmost priority that vulnerable people and telecare users are protected throughout the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration. In December 2023, the UK’s major Communication Providers agreed to sign a PSTN Charter, committing to improve protections for vulnerable customers. The Charter can be found here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-switched-telephone-network-charter/public-switched-telephone-network-charter" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-switched-telephone-network-charter/public-switched-telephone-network-charter</a></p><p> </p><p>As set out in the PSTN Charter, Communication Providers have agreed to conduct additional checks on customers who have already been forcibly migrated. This is with a view to ensuring that the customers do not have telecare devices that providers were unaware of, and if they do, to ensure that the correct support is provided to them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will be monitoring the Communication Providers’ adherence to the Charter through bilateral meetings and through asking the companies for written updates on their approach to the migration.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 22/04/2024 09:07:00 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1701869

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Broadband: Road Works
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of trials of flexible permitting for streetworks on supporting the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	22262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government will shortly be trialling a more flexible permitting system, which would grant permission to work in multiple streets - as opposed to the current system which requires statutory undertakers to submit a separate permit for every street they work in. This would allow companies carrying out works to move from street to street quickly.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is working with the Department for Transport to trial this concept across England. DSIT have appointed an independent contractor to design, oversee and evaluate the trials, which we expect to commence in the second quarter of 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Once trials have concluded, Ministers will consider the results of the evaluation, and decide whether a flexible permitting scheme should be introduced.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 22/04/2024 09:10:31 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant