Written questions by Smith.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring an independent alternative dispute resolution process for the resolution of disputes in relation to online safety between users and platforms.

The Online Safety Act 2023 requires platforms to put in place reporting and complaints processes to resolve disputes. In the first instance, service providers are best placed to respond to individual complaints on online safety. However, the Act 2023 requires Ofcom to review the efficacy of platforms’ complaint processes and publish a report within two years of the relevant duties taking effect. We expect this in early 2028.Following this report, the Secretary of State has a power to require Category 1 services to put in place, or engage with, an ‘alternative dispute resolution’ process.

Innovation and Technology, whether any properties in Skipton and Ripon constituency have been identified as very hard to reach by Project Gigabit.

We expect most UK premises to be able to access a gigabit-capable connection through commercial rollout or Project Gigabit by 2030. Due to value for money constraints, very hard to reach premises are not within the scope of Project Gigabit.As Project Gigabit progresses, we are building a more accurate picture of premises likely to be classed as very hard to reach. This is an iterative process with potential very hard to reach premises present across the UK.For these premises, we continue to explore alternative connectivity options to ensure people living and working in these communities have the connectivity they require to access online services.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure 4G coverage across Skipton and Ripon constituency in the context of (a) the Shared Rural Network and (b) future smart meter network upgrades.

Skipton and Ripon has already benefited from the industry-funded part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) which has now been completed. 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators has increased to 67% up from 60% and up from 87% to 90% from at least one mobile network operator since the programme was agreed in 2020. There are further improvements to come via the government funded element of the SRN which will see us upgrade six Home Office masts that will deliver new 4G coverage across Skipton and Ripon for the first time.The Data Communications Company is required by licence conditions to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of smart meter Wide Area Network coverage and are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government backs UK R&D with record £20.4 billion investment at Autumn Budget, published on 31 October 2024, when he plans to provide (a) charities, (b) businesses and (c) universities with further information on the availability of this funding.

The Autumn Budget set out the government’s funding plans and departmental allocations for R&D in 2025/26, with an overall R&D budget of £20.4 billion. Of this, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was allocated £13.9 billion for 2025/26. Further details on how this funding will be allocated across DSIT priorities and partner organisations will be announced in due course, before the start of the financial year.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve rural ultrafast broadband connectivity.

The government is committed to delivering fast, reliable broadband through Project Gigabit with a goal of nationwide coverage by 2030. There are 36 contracts in place, set to connect over 1 million homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out, with more contracts to be awarded in the coming months.Although the vast majority of premises will be covered by commercial activity or Project Gigabit, a small proportion of premises will remain too expensive to build a gigabit capable connection to. These very hard to reach premises may require additional government intervention to help provide them with ultrafast connections.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of Project Gigabit in rural areas.

As of February 2024, over 1 million premises had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 90% of premises benefiting from government broadband schemes were in rural areas.To improve coverage further, we currently have 36 Project Gigabit contracts in place to bring fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million more homes and businesses, and further contracts are scheduled to be awarded in the coming months.