1
Conclusion
Thirty-Second Report - Delivering gigab…
Not Addressed
We took evidence from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (the Department) on its progress to date in achieving its target of reaching a minimum of 85% nationwide coverage of gigabit-capable broadband by 2025.
Government response AI summary
The Department is responsible for delivering the government’s policies on increasing economic growth and productivity through improved digital connectivity, aiming for at least 85% of UK premises having access to gigabit-broadband by 2025 and plans to accelerate rollout to get as close to 100% nationwide …
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HM Treasury
7
Conclusion
Thirty-Second Report - Delivering gigab…
Not Addressed
In our report of 8 January 2021, we recommended that the Department should clearly set out what activities it intended to complete and by when to achieve its revised targets. As part of this, we recommended that it set out the final dates by which key milestones must be reached …
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In our report of 8 January 2021, we recommended that the Department should clearly set out what activities it intended to complete and by when to achieve its revised targets. As part of this, we recommended that it set out the final dates by which key milestones must be reached in order to meet those targets and publish yearly updates on progress thereafter.16 In response, the Department told us that the overall programme delivery profile will be incorporated into the Programme Business Case which was due to be submitted for approval in Summer 2021 and that it would publish its progress against the programme’s milestones regularly.17 More recently, in its letter to us ahead of our evidence session, it told us that the full programme business case was now undergoing Treasury approvals and once the business case has been approved, it will provide further detail on its overall delivery projections for the programme.18
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Government response AI summary
Response discusses the pharmacy early payment and salary advance schemes in the NHS.
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HM Treasury
18
Conclusion
Thirty-Second Report - Delivering gigab…
Not Addressed
We asked the Department when we will see progress on the ground with regards to wayleaves. It told us that although the Electronics Communications Code, which is where the wayleaves issue is addressed, was reformed in 2017, it can go further in ensuring that negotiations between operators and site providers …
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We asked the Department when we will see progress on the ground with regards to wayleaves. It told us that although the Electronics Communications Code, which is where the wayleaves issue is addressed, was reformed in 2017, it can go further in ensuring that negotiations between operators and site providers are smoother than they currently are. It explained that as part of bringing forward the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill in the current Parliamentary Session, it would propose further reforms to the Code.57 We asked the Department what this would mean in practice, and it told us it was looking at the obligations that companies have when they are engaging with site providers and how to make sure companies have met their obligations. It told us it was also looking at ways to upgrade historical rights and renew rights that have expired.58 The Department was unable, however, to provide any specific timescales for when this legislation will be in place, stating that it would bring forward the Bill as soon as parliamentary time allowed.59 Following our evidence session, the Department wrote to us to confirm that while it was unable to provide a firm set of dates, it expected the legislation needed to address the barrier we identified to proceed in the next few months. It also told us that amendments to Building Regulations mandating connectivity for all new build developments and the implementation of regulations for the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act are due by the second quarter of 2022. It committed to continuing to work with Department for Transport colleagues on reforms to the street works regime and keep the Committee updated.60
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines its advice to telecoms operators regarding their use of Huawei equipment and its intention to consult on a proposed direction to public telecoms providers regarding their use of Huawei goods and services.
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HM Treasury