Written questions by Yasin.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support the mental health of young people reliant on online communities for emotional and social support.

The government recognises that for many young people, online communities can play an important role in providing emotional and social support. It is vital that these online spaces are safe. Through the Online Safety Act, in-scope services are required to protect children from illegal and harmful and age-inappropriate content.On 2 March, the government launched a consultation which will explore options to ensure children’s experiences online are safe and enriching.The Department of Health and Social Care is working to improve access to mental health support for young people, both online and offline.

Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to evaluate the potential impact of the proposed under-16 social media ban on young people’s access to support and educational resources.

The government recognises that there are benefits for children being online and for many young people, online services can play an important role in providing support and access to educational resources.On 2 March, the government launched a consultation on how to ensure children can grow up with a safer and more enriching relationship with the online world. The consultation seeks views on a range of options to help shape our next steps and the potential impacts of these.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure full mobile phone signal in (a) Bedford and (b) Kempston.

In Ofcom’s Connected Nations Spring Update, published on 8 May 2025, it is reported that 4G is available across 100% of the Bedford constituency from all four mobile network operators (MNOs), while 5G is available outside 72% of premises in the constituency from all four operators. Ofcom do not report on coverage at the town level.Communities and businesses right across the UK should rightly expect to have the mobile connectivity they need to participate in the modern digital economy.Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Government continues to work closely with the MNOs, ensuring that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks that delivers benefits to communities right across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of complex broadband and mobile contract negotiations on (a) older customers and (b) people with vulnerabilities.

The department has not recently made any such assessment, however, we remain committed to supporting vulnerable and older consumers. We regularly engage consumer groups, such as Citizens Advice, who have conducted relevant research.Ofcom has introduced several measures to help customers switch provider, including requiring phone and broadband providers to warn customers when their contract is ending, and what they could save by signing up to a new deal. Ofcom accredits price comparison websites that they have assessed to work well, and provide accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive, and up-to-date information. Ofcom also tracks provider performance through monitoring complaints.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that broadband and mobile providers do not disadvantage existing customers compared with new customers when setting contract prices.

Government works closely with Ofcom to ensure fairness in telecoms pricing. A range of measures have been implemented, for example, since 2020 Ofcom has required providers to issue end-of–contract notifications. These alert customers when their contract/discounts are ending, encouraging to secure better deals.Since January 2025, inflation-linked in contract prices rises were banned and providers must now state any increases upfront in pounds and pence. Contract summaries must also highlight key terms before a customer signs up. Together, these measures improve transparency and empower consumers to make informed choices about the services they buy.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment Ofcom has made of the (a) fairness and (b) transparency of in-term price increases in mobile phone and broadband contracts.

In 2023, Ofcom reviewed inflation-linked price rises. Ofcom found that while many broadband and mobile customers were on contracts subject to inflation-linked price rises, awareness and understanding of these terms were very low. Therefore, in December 2023 Ofcom consulted on banning this practice.As a result, since 17 January 2025 where providers apply in-contract price rises, these need to be set out in pounds and pence, at the point of sale. Providers must also set out when any changes to the monthly price will occur.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) legislation and (b) policy relating to technology is informed by experts with technical knowledge.

The internal policies associated with technology (such as the AI Playbook) used within government, are directly informed by industry leading technical experts, which include digital and data civil servants, specialist third parties and expert non-exec board level advisors with extensive experience.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to support utility companies in (a) removing and (b) recycling redundant copper cables following infrastructure upgrades.

The Government hopes to see as much as possible of the copper network reused for other purposes. For example, the Government welcomes the recent commercial deal between BT Group and a recycling company to repurpose legacy copper cables that are being replaced by its new full fibre network. Copper is a valuable material and the Government expects the network providers to make the best use of it in line with their in-house policies, but does not plan to intervene in this emerging market.