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Communications Act 2003: tenth report on the Secretary of State's functions

My Right Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale MP, has made the following Statement:

The Government has today laid a report before Parliament to fulfil its statutory duty under section 390 of the Communications Act 2003. Section 390 of the Communications Act 2003 requires the Secretary of State to prepare and lay before Parliament reports about the performance of the Secretary of State’s functions under the following legislation:

• the Communications Act 2003;

• the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006;

• the Office of Communications Act 2002; and

• the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996

This rectifies a historic oversight in discharging this statutory duty since the ninth report was laid in February 2014. Notwithstanding this oversight, the government has been fully transparent because each time a power has been used, the relevant parliamentary procedure has been followed and/or a public/parliamentary announcement has been made. A retrospective report to cover the period to 28 December 2020 is now, however, being laid to correct this.

The Department accepts full responsibility and apologises. Action has been taken to ensure the Department fulfills this statutory duty on an annual basis. The report will be published on GOV.UK and a copy of the report will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.