Non-inquiry session · Opened 1 December 2025
Digital inclusion and telecoms
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
What this inquiry is asking
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is investigating whether the UK's digital infrastructure and broadband services are reaching people at risk of digital exclusion—particularly older people, rural communities, and low-income households—and whether current policy, regulation, and investment are adequate to close the digital divide.
Status / emerging findings
- An oral evidence session took place on 9 December 2025 with the Minister for Digital Economy
- The committee has issued multiple follow-up requests to the Minister (January, February, and March 2026), suggesting key information gaps or commitments that required clarification
- Three publications have been released to date, indicating initial factual groundwork or interim findings are in circulation
- No final report or recommendations have been issued; the inquiry remains live and evidence-gathering is ongoing
Why it matters
Millions of UK adults lack basic digital skills or connectivity; this inquiry determines whether government policy will meaningfully reduce that exclusion or if new investment and regulation are needed.
Tone arc
Started with formal oral evidence from government; shifted to detailed follow-up correspondence, suggesting the committee identified specific gaps or wanted commitments on record from the Minister.
Themes
Key witnesses
Minister for Digital Economy
Written evidence & correspondence
Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence · 2 March 2026
Correspondence · 2 March 2026
Correspondence · 2 March 2026
Themes & actors
Topics across publication summaries
Top organisations & named entities
- Dame Chi Onwurah MP·3 references
- Ofcom·3 references
- Baroness Lloyd of Effra·3 references
- OneWeb·3 references
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·2 references
- Eutelsat·2 references
- Baroness Lloyd·1 reference
- EE·1 reference
- Vodafone-Three·1 reference
- VMO2·1 reference
Source · parliament.uk inquiry record ↗