Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Electronic Communications Code

Thursday 1 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is considering the responses to the consultation on the electronic communications code that closed in March.
  • The Government will carefully consider the impact of their proposals on all stakeholders, including community organisations.
  • The 2017 ECC reforms aimed to cut the amount paid by operators and align them with other utilities to support connectivity roll-out.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Heather Wheeler Con
Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the financial effect of proposals to reform the electronic communications code on community organisations that host mobile telecoms infrastructure.

Question

If he will make it his policy to conduct an impact assessment of the potential financial effect on community organisations of proposals to reform the electronic communications code.

Answer from Matt Warman

The Government are currently considering the responses to the consultation on the electronic communications code, which closed in March, and we will carefully consider the impact of our proposals on all stakeholders, including community organisations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to conduct an impact assessment was not given

How: Under Consideration

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Q2 Heather Wheeler Con
Science & Technology Business & Trade Environment
Context

The MP highlighted that thousands of farmers, churches, and community groups have faced significant financial losses because of the 2017 ECC reform, with some experiencing rent reductions up to 90%. She requested a meeting to discuss this issue.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. He will be aware that thousands of farmers, churches and community groups who host mobile telecoms infrastructure on their land have faced financial hardship because of the 2017 ECC reform, with some seeing enforced rent reductions of up to 90%, as has happened in my constituency. What measures is he planning to support those who face losing these critical sources of income? Will he kindly agree to meet me and representatives of these impacted groups as soon as possible?

Answer from Matt Warman

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this. It is important to be clear that those 2017 reforms were intended to cut the amount paid by operators and put them on a similar footing to other utilities, and that supports the roll-out of connectivity that we all want to see. However, it is important that the negotiations that take place are fair commercial ones and that landowners ultimately receive a fair price. The reason we are consulting as we speak is to make sure that the system works effectively and that those fair prices are delivered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or timeline for support was provided

How: Fair Commercial Negotiations, Consulting

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