The Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) Programme has the following Scottish projects and potential projects:<\/p>
<\/p>
LFFN Wave 2 Challenge Fund<\/strong><\/p> Highland Council are planning to use the SWAN Framework to implement a gigabit fibre network to 152 public buildings in Inverness, Fort William, Thurso and Wick - awarded £4.3m BDUK Funding. This project is in preparation stage for the 'Ready to Procure' Assurance Gate.<\/p> <\/p> LFFN Wave 3 Challenge Fund<\/strong><\/p> Shetland Council have successfully passed the LFFN Investment Panel stage and are working on the final Business case to go through Assurance Gate A and if approved will be issued with a letter of offer for £2m BDUK Funding<\/p> Tay Cities combined authority are in the dialogue stage regarding a potential LFFN project in their area.<\/p> Renfrewshire Council are at the pre-dialogue stage regarding a potential LFFN project in their area<\/p> <\/p> Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme <\/strong><\/ins><\/p> To the end of September 2018 across Scotland, there have been 87 gigabit vouchers connected (value £243,953). A report up to the end of December 2018 will be released early in February<\/ins><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1045659/answer/previousversion/98327", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-29T18:04:37.777Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-30T08:51:58.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Broadband: Scotland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has he made on the Local Full Fibre Networks Programme in rural locations throughout Scotland.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4675", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kirstene Hair"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Angus"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kirstene Hair"}
], "uin" : "210715"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1057042", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1057042/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> <\/p> The Government recently set up the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to provide independent, expert advice on the measures needed to enable and ensure safe, ethical and innovative uses of AI and data-driven technologies.<\/ins><\/p> The first two projects the Centre will study include: the use of data in shaping people's online experiences; and the potential for bias in decisions made using algorithms. This work will play an important role in promoting and ensuring fairness and the ethical use of data to deliver maximum benefits for society. An interim update on these projects is expected in summer 2019.<\/ins><\/p> <\/p> Further, it is essential that AI developed in the UK reflects the needs and make-up of society as a whole and that industry and the public sector are able to access the greatest supply of talent in terms of numbers. Increasing diversity in the AI workforce is vital to ensure that everyone with the potential to participate has the opportunity to do so. The government\u2019s Office for AI will work with the AI Council to promote diversity in the AI workforce.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1057042/answer/previousversion/101754", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-13T16:53:29.233Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-18T10:41:09.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Artificial Intelligence"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the use of artificial intelligence complies with equalities legislation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4425", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Stevens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jo Stevens"}
], "uin" : "218822"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1092593", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1092593/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On 7th February, the UK Chief Medical Officers published their independent systematic map of evidence on screen and social media use in children and young people, and recommended next steps and advice for parents and carers. You can view the report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/777026/UK_CMO_commentary_on_screentime_and_social_media_map_of_reviews.pdf<\/p> <\/p> The DCMS and Home Office Online Harms White Paper, due to be published shortly, will contain a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, setting out definitive plans to tackle a wide range of harms that users, including children and young people, face online.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-03-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1092593/answer/previousversion/109967", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T10:51:11.533Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-26T15:19:37.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Media: Young People"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of social media on young people\u2019s mental health; and what plans his Department has to ensure that social media companies protect vulnerable young people.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4510", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Helen Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dulwich and West Norwood"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Hayes"}
], "uin" : "235350"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/810592", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/810592/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> Ofcom have reported that within the band 1350 \u2013 1375 MHz there are currently 817 links. The band 1375 \u2013 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-01-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/810592/answer/previousversion/34887", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-17T16:42:50.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2018-01-18T10:12:34.38Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Radio Frequencies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many fixed links are operating in the spectrum between 1350 MHz and 1400 MHz.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4634", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Christine Jardine"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Christine Jardine"}
], "uin" : "120937"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/833081", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/833081/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> There is a difference between what we define as the download speed, or sync speed, and the actual speed end users experience. The sync speed is the maximum speed that is achievable on the connection between the network and the premises. In reality, the actual speed that is provided to an end user is typically lower than the sync speed and this will vary depending on the number of other people using the network at that point in time. The specification that we consulted on was for a sync speed of at least 10Mbps. Ofcom says that a 10Mbps sync speed meets the needs of a typical household.<\/ins><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/833081/answer/previousversion/38707", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-01T12:36:04.68Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-06T11:40:42.113Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Broadband: Universal Service Obligation"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the 10Mbps minimum speed for broadband under the universal service obligation will be the minimum speed consumers receive in their homes at peak times; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/69", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Oliver Heald"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Hertfordshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Oliver Heald"}
], "uin" : "125397"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834385", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834385/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> <\/p> Freelancers form a vital part of the UK workforce, particularly for the creative industries. The Secretary of State and his ministers have regular discussions with members of the Cabinet on a wide range of issues that impact on the creative industries and its workforce.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834385/answer/previousversion/40194", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-07T18:09:16.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-08T10:28:57.693Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Performing Arts"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the contribution of creative industry freelancers to the UK economy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1400", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Brennan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kevin Brennan"}
], "uin" : "126004"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/837370", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/837370/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> <\/p> Consumers can register their landline and mobile telephone numbers with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which helps prevent them receiving unsolicited nuisance marketing calls. The TPS is a free service and consumers can register at the following address: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/number_type.html.<\/ins> In addition, phone companies provide consumers with a range of services to protect them against nuisance calls. It is for phone companies to decide whether to offer these services for free or for a charge. The Government welcomes services being provided free, or at low cost, for the benefit of consumers.<\/ins><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/837370/answer/previousversion/40508", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4115", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Margot James"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stourbridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Margot James"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-08T17:49:33.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-20T17:32:14.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nuisance Calls"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what his Department's policy is on a ban on phone companies charging a fee for services to protect against nuisance calls.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4658", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Sobel"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Leeds North West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alex Sobel"}
], "uin" : "126489"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851515", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/851515/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "While we have seen some success with voluntary measures to improve online safety, Government has been clear that tech companies need to take more consistent and effective action to tackle online harms.<\/del><\/p>A joint DCMS-Home Office White Paper will be published shortly, setting out clear responsibilities for tech companies to keep their users safe online<\/del>.<\/p>Given current use in the 1350 \u2013 1375 MHz band it is not considered feasible to allow sharing in this band for Programme Making and Special Events. The band 1375 \u2013 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence.<\/del><\/p>The Department is currently undertaking evaluation of the Superfast Broadband Programme\u2019s role in improving broadband connectivity and reaching areas that would otherwise not have been reached through commercial plans. The evaluation is focusing on the economic and social impacts of the programme, including the impact of the superfast programme on business performance and growth, employment, on quality of life and the reduction in benefits claimants in areas that would have lost out to higher connectivity areas, if it were not for the programme.<\/del><\/p>The Department released The UK Broadband Impact Study in 2013 which made an assessment of the impacts of faster broadband including the economic impacts. The study can be accessed on the Department's website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-broadband-impact-study--2). The Department will be producing results from the current evaluation in 2018.<\/del><\/p>We are talking to our EU counterparts as part of ongoing EU exit negotiations with a view to achieving the deep and special relationship the UK wishes to have with the EU post-exit. We are confident that this is in the interests of both sides. We will work hard to secure the best deal for the UK on exit and ensure that our new relationship with the EU works for business.<\/del><\/p>We are also preparing for a range of possible outcomes for the audio-visual sector from the UK's negotiations with the EU.<\/del><\/p>The Government and local bodies together are investing £1.7 billion of public money to support vital improvements in broadband services across the UK. Superfast broadband coverage reached 95% of premises in December 2017 \u2013 up from 45% in 2010. Many of the premises reached had exchange only lines.<\/del><\/p>For any premises not covered by superfast broadband, as confirmed in our announcement in December 2017, we are pushing ahead with our plans for a Universal Service Obligation (USO) so that by 2020 everyone across the UK will have a clear, enforceable right to request 10 Megabit per second broadband.<\/del><\/p>Within London the Government expects superfast broadband coverage to be provided by the private sector and is encouraging providers to tackle remaining issues including exchange only lines.<\/del><\/p>
<\/p>