Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Shared Rural Network programme faces significant cost challenges, exceeding government funding levels.
Conclusion
Both the Department and BDUK acknowledged that there have been significant cost challenges on the programme.15 On the Extended Area Service element of the programme, 7 C&AG’s Report, paras 7, 2.5 and 2.6 8 C&AG’s Report, paras 3 and 15; Department for Science, Innovation & Technology UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy April 2023 9 C&AG’s Report, para 6 10 Qq 2, 4 11 Q 3; C&AG’s Report, para 3.8 12 Qq 2–3 13 Qq 4 14 Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (SMC0002) 15 Q 25 Supporting mobile connectivity 11 the Government’s costs have risen by an estimated £44 million due to irrecoverable VAT and inflation, while, on the Total Not Spot element, in late 2023, DMSL indicated that delivery of the planned number of sites and the increase in coverage required from this element was set to exceed the current level of associated government funding.16
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 11 July 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗