Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026

Correspondence from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to rural proofing policies, dated 23 January 2026

From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Inquiry: Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies

Summary

Baroness Lloyd responds to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's December 2025 inquiry into rural proofing at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). While acknowledging rural proofing is not embedded in overall policy development, DSIT outlines ad-hoc engagement with rural communities on digital infrastructure and inclusion. The letter details Project Gigabit, the Shared Rural Network, and innovation funding programmes benefiting rural areas, claiming 1.3 million premises upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband and 96% 4G coverage achieved.

Key findings

DSIT has not embedded rural proofing as a formal process within overall policy development, but engages ad-hoc where particular rural responsibility exists (digital inclusion, infrastructure).
Only three DSIT staff have completed the Civil Service Learning 'Understanding Rural Areas' module; the department is now adding it to the Policy Foundation Programme and Policy Profession Hub.
Project Gigabit has upgraded over 1.3 million premises to gigabit-capable broadband as of September 2025, with a further 1 million in contracted delivery; 60% of rural premises now have gigabit-capable access (up from 53% in 2024).
The Shared Rural Network achieved the 95% 4G coverage target early; Ofcom reports 96% UK landmass coverage as of November 2025, up from 91% when the scheme launched in March 2020.
DSIT has funded digital inclusion and innovation projects: £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund supporting 85 projects, and £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund enabling rural areas to bid competitively for R&D investment.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

digital-infrastructurerural-developmentbroadband-connectivitymobile-coveragedigital-inclusion

Key actors

Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, Alistair Carmichael MP, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Defra, Ofcom, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Rural Media Charity

Notable line

“Whilst rural proofing has not been embedded within DSIT's overall policy development process, we know where we have particular responsibility towards the UK's rural and remote communities …”

Key Quotes

“Whilst rural proofing has not been embedded within DSIT's overall policy development process, we know where we have particular responsibility towards the UK's rural and remote communities …”
— Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE · on the department's approach to rural proofing

“DSIT does not, as a general practice, carry out assessments into additional costs of providing services in rural areas.”
— Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE · on cost assessment for rural service delivery

“As of the end of September 2025, over 1.3 million premises in hard-to- reach communities across the UK had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes.”
— Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE · on Project Gigabit's progress

“The 95% geographic coverage target was met early and in its most recent Connected Nations report (published on 17 November 2025) Ofcom advised that 4G now covers 96% of the UK …”
— Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE · on the Shared Rural Network 4G coverage achievement

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗