Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Ruth Cadbury (Labour) on Friday, 17 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Broadband: Optical Fibres

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to encourage internet network providers to increase the coverage of full fibre broadband in (a) residential flats and (b) commercial properties.

Answer

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 21 July we will consult on policy measures later in the autumn to create a new right for leaseholders to request a gigabit broadband connection and a duty for freeholders to not unreasonably refuse the request. We are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on the policy proposals and we will seek to legislate for these measures when parliamentary time allows.

Additionally, ‘commercial properties’ are included in Project Gigabit, the government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. More than £2.4 billion of Project Gigabit contracts have already been signed to connect over one million more premises with gigabit-capable broadband.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
82958
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Business premises Broadband Flats Optical fibres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk