Written questions by Witherden.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to make sure that digital ID can not be made a requirement for accessing a wide range of public and private services.

Digital ID will only be mandatory for a person who is going through a right to work check. There will be no other mandatory requirement to have the ID.The Government is not mandating the use of digital ID to access other public or private services. People can still prove their identity using physical documents and non-digital alternatives outside of right-to-work checks if they prefer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken under the Shared Rural Network programme to map investment in the hardest-to-reach areas.

Ofcom reporting indicates areas of poor mobile coverage across the UK. The Government has worked closely with the mobile network operators to identify locations where upgrading or building new masts can improve connectivity in rural areas where there is no or limited coverage, including utilising the Emergency Service Network (ESN) where feasible. The location of masts is also determined according to how quickly they can be delivered and the public benefit they provide.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help improve mobile phone coverage in rural areas.

The Shared Rural Network continues to deliver 4G connectivity where there is limited or no coverage. Beyond this, our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030.We are working with Ofcom and the industry to ensure we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the market.Ofcom have written to me confirming that their improved online coverage checker will go live in the second half of June, which will better reflect people’s real experience. A copy of my letter and their letter has been deposited in the libraries of both houses.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve (a) mobile signal and (b) broadband for areas that have no access to fibre internet in Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency.

As part of the Shared Rural Network, we have recently upgraded and activated two government-funded masts in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, delivering a 4G coverage boost to local businesses and community organisations, with more to come. Through Project Gigabit, around 70,000 homes and businesses across Wales, including thousands in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, are currently set to benefit from a contract being delivered by Openreach that will deliver gigabit-capable broadband to premises that would otherwise miss out.