Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Letter from the Minister for Digital Economy relating to the designation of the Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of the radio spectrum and postal services, 27 April 2026
Summary
The Minister for Digital Economy notifies Parliament that the Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, radio spectrum management, and postal services has been designated under Section 2A of the Communications Act 2003 on 27 April 2026, following completion of a 40-day parliamentary objection period. Ofcom must now have regard to the statement and report on consequent actions within 40 days and annually thereafter.
Key findings
- The Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities was laid before Parliament on 11 February 2026 and subjected to a 40-day objection period, which ended on 17 April 2026 with no blocking resolution from either House.
- Ofcom is now statutorily required to have regard to the designated statement when exercising its regulatory functions under the Communications Act 2003.
- Ofcom must publish, within 40 days of designation, a statement setting out what actions it plans to take in consequence of the strategic priorities statement.
- Ofcom will be required to report annually on actions taken in consequence of the statement, establishing ongoing accountability to the strategic framework.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Baroness Lloyd of Effra, Liam Byrne MP, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, Ofcom, House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee
Notable line
“Ofcom will be required to have regard to the statement, once designated, when exercising its functions and must set out …”
Key Quotes
“… the Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services will be designated for the purposes of Section 2A of the Communications Act 2003 on 27 April”
“Under section 2B of the Act, Ofcom will be required to have regard to the statement, once designated, when exercising its functions and must set out, within 40 days of designation, what actions it plans to take in consequence of the statement.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗