5th Report - Digital Connectivity in Scotland

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government accepts the recommendation on closer UK and Scottish Government working on broadband, but does not accept the recommendation to review the Universal Service Obligation (USO) specification within six months.

• On the last 5%, it says it is "already taking action", with Phase 3 of the superfast programme seeking to address "as much of the remaining 5%" as possible; further funding "of some kind" will be required for an 'outside in' approach, with longer-term options to be determined in the forthcoming Spending Review.
• It does not accept the recommendation to review the USO specification within six months, saying a decision on when to review it "will be taken in the light of market developments, technological changes and evolving consumer needs".
• On a joint USO working group, it agrees regular interaction between DCMS and the Scottish Government is necessary but says a group "is not necessary" because this interaction "already happens on a regular basis".
• On regulatory barriers, it states the Barrier Busting Task Force "will work with colleagues in Scotland" to create a league table of local authorities and national toolkits for Street Works and Access Agreements.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error