Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Emergencies: Rural and Coastal Areas

Thursday 22 January 2026 · 5 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister agrees to consider strengthening communications during extreme weather events.
  • Department is engaging with BT regarding plans to switch off analogue lines.
  • Government are considering options to integrate volunteer work with statutory emergency responders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Science & Technology Environment
Context

Storm Goretti tested the resilience of rural and coastal Britain, causing significant damage and disruption.

Question

In response to Storm Goretti, Cornwall alone lost over 1,000 trees and thousands were without power and water. It exposed vulnerabilities in communications infrastructure in rural areas. Would the Minister lead discussions with Science, Innovation and Technology Ministers on how to shore up communications during extreme weather events?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The Minister agrees that the situation needs attention. He will do so by giving careful consideration to the points raised about strengthening communications during extreme weather events.

Partly answered

How: Will Give Them Very Careful Attention

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Q2 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Energy Environment
Context

BT is proposing to switch off analogue phone lines in areas with poor mobile reception and frequent power cuts.

Question

BT’s plan to switch off analogue lines in regions with poor mobile coverage and regular power outages could isolate communities during extreme weather events. Will the Minister ensure that this will not impede resilience?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The Department is engaging closely with BT regarding their proposal to switch off analogue lines. The Minister will look carefully at the points raised and come back to the Member.

Partly answered

How: Department Has Been Engaging Closely

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Q3 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Local authorities struggle to deploy staff quickly during flood events in geographically remote areas.

Question

Will the Government encourage statutory bodies to train and equip community emergency volunteers to carry out vital tasks such as closing floodgates and shutting roads?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The Government are considering regulatory and non-regulatory options to integrate the work of the voluntary sector with statutory emergency responders. The Minister will soon be meeting the flooding Minister to discuss this further.

Partly answered

How: Considering Regulatory And Non-Regulatory Options

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Q4 Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth
Local Government
Context

Some constituencies, like Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, are highly vulnerable due to poor mobile communication infrastructure.

Question

Given the significant lack of resilience in mobile communications in areas such as Mawnan Smith during Storm Goretti, will the Minister review those constituencies where mobile communications are inadequate?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The Minister gives an absolute commitment to work closely with Government colleagues, local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that lessons from Storm Goretti are learned. He met the Member at the Eden Project recently to discuss these matters.

Partly answered

How: Work Closely With Government Colleagues

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Q5 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Environment
Context

Telecoms companies have not met their promises regarding the withdrawal of copper landlines, leaving constituents without connectivity during power outages.

Question

Will the Minister speak to mobile phone operators and telecoms companies about why they are not fulfilling their commitments to maintain connectivity?

Answer from Dan Jarvis (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

The Minister is looking forward to meeting the Member soon to discuss these issues. He acknowledges that more than 900 engineers were deployed during Storm Goretti to reconnect homes in the south-west.

Partly answered

How: Looking Forward To Discussing

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