This is the row that could derail the UK-wide 5G rollout
The UK Government, then run by the Conservatives, updated the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) in 2017 in an attempt to accelerate action on 5G. But the government has acknowledged these changes were controversial.
Rent dispute
The ECC simplifies the process for network operators to access land and install infrastructure like phone masts and cables, while also balancing the rights of landowners.
It allowed many telecoms companies to vastly reduce the rents they paid to landowners.
Some landowners have reported rent reductions of up to 90%, which has led to many considering whether to continue as a hosting site.
Read more:
The proposals were described as "well intentioned" but in some areas have had the opposite impact, with landowners refusing to host the infrastructure.
There has also been an explosion in legal disputes, with cases reaching over 1,000 since 2017, compared with just three in the previous three decades, from 1984.
New changes?
The row has escalated as the Labour-led government launched a consultation in May, which looks to extend the changes in the valuation mechanism to rental agreements entered into before 2017 as they come up for renewal.
That would mean around 15,000 existing telecoms sites would be added, with landowner representatives arguing it would exacerbate the problem they face.
Industry experts want the UK Government to pause the implementation to consider the consequences for landowners.
Interestingly, Labour in opposition approved the changes, which would be made by amending the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PTSI) Act, which then updates the ECC.
In 2022, shadow digital secretary Lucy Powell warned that the PSTI changes would "slow down, rather than speed up, the broadband and 5G rollout".
But now, telecoms minister Chris Bryant confirmed the government wants to implement the provisions "as soon as possible".
Connectivity stalled
Broadband and 5G accessibility remains poor in many parts of the UK. In Scotland, Argyll and Bute and the Highlands and Islands are amongst he worst.
However, in Scotland's largest urban hub - Glasgow - fibre coverage is now amongst the five worst cities in the UK.
Just 57.8% of premises have access to full fibre broadband.
The UK is also now ranked 30th out of 39 countries in terms of availability of 5G.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why bats and newts are being blamed for Britain's sluggish economy
Bad news for bats: the government is considering further changes to planning regulations in order to boost economic growth. Specifically, Rachel Reeves – desperate for the UK economy to grow and provide more jobs, homes and tax revenues – wants to relax the rules on wildlife and the environment, hence some headlines about bats, newts and snails. What does the chancellor want? To keep her job. That means getting Britain's wayward public finances under control, which means making the economic pie bigger so that tax receipts start rising without having to hammer workers and businesses every year with tax rises. She's not prepared to allow any flying mammals, rare amphibious creatures, fish or a few wildflowers to get in the way. Retained EU rules designed on the precautionary principle that a developer must prove there will be no net harm will go, and there'll be a cull in the list of 'protected species'. She wouldn't admit as much, but this is very much what Leavers would call a 'Brexit freedom'. Not much of a bonus for bats, though. Aren't they doing this already? No. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill before parliament proposes to restrict grounds for objection to a scheme, strengthen the powers of mayors and development corporations to impose decisions, and give developers more flexibility regarding nature migration schemes. Another law would be required to wage war on wildlife. Perhaps. He singled them out in an infamous speech last year that derided the '£100m bat tunnel holding up the country's single biggest infrastructure project', ie HS2. He is the Ozzy Osbourne of politics. What do we get in return? Growth. Specifically, 1.5 million new homes, 150 major infrastructure projects and, in the words of the prime minister: 'a very clear message …To the nimbys, the regulators, the blockers and bureaucrats … The alliance of naysayers … The people who say, no, 'Britain can't do this. We can't get things done in our country'. We say to them – you no longer have the upper hand … Britain says yes.' The country will almost certainly be better off, materially, from the additional investment, but it is equally apparent that all the new runways, power lines, roads and greenfield housebuilding will have an unfortunate impact on the environment and visual amenity. There's always a trade-off. Why didn't the Tories do this? They are, or were, the party of the countryside, hence their determined opposition to onshore windfarms, rural solar panel installations, housing developments in 'nice' areas and pylons marching across green and pleasant lands. What will happen? Labour will bulldoze both bits of legislation through, albeit with some grumbles from the new generation of Labour MPs who represent historically rural Conservative constituencies. Most opposition parties, including Reform, who don't think we need any green energy or housing projects at all, will make their objections clear. At the next general election, Labour will probably find its country seats much the hardest battleground.
North Wales Chronicle
6 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Government working ‘at pace' to bring Gazan children to UK for medical care
Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson said a cross-government task force is 'up and running', but warned that it is a 'sensitive and complex process'. His comments come after the BBC reported that the first group of critically ill and injured Gazan children, said to be between 30 and 50 patients, will be arriving 'in the coming weeks'. It is understood that the children will come from hospital with family members via a third country, where biometric data will be collected, and that some may enter the asylum system after completing treatment. The Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We're not going to get into a running commentary on numbers or the exact process. 'Exact numbers are going to depend on clinical need and various factors.' He added: 'We continue to take all those plans to evacuate more children from Gaza, who require urgent medical care in the UK and specialist treatment. 'Obviously, it's sensitive and it's a complex process, and the wellbeing of patients and their families is our top priority. 'There's a cross-government task force working together to deliver this new scheme and we'll obviously provide an update as and when we've got them.' The spokesperson continued: 'There's a task force up and running to deliver this (as soon) as possible. 'Patients will obviously be assessed on a case-by-case basis, some will be brought to the UK if that's the best option for their care. 'We obviously continue to provide significant support in the region as well, for evacuations within the region, to support people desperately in need of care. 'And that is on top of the significant aid that we're providing to the region to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.' He said the Government will give updates on the plans 'as and when we can', but said: 'We are working at pace to deliver it.' More than 50,000 children are estimated to have been killed or injured in Gaza since October 2023, according to Unicef. A small number of children have so far been brought to the UK for specialist medical care via an initiative by Project Pure Hope, and they are being treated privately. The Government's plans, coordinated the Foreign Office, Home Office and Department of Health, is set to see children treated by the NHS. Last month, a cross-party group of 96 MPs wrote a letter to the government urging them to bring sick and injured children from Gaza to the UK, warning that they are at risk of imminent death due to the 'decimation' of the healthcare system. Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who signed that letter, has insisted that there must be 'no delay'. She told the PA news agency: 'There should be no delay in getting children from Gaza the healthcare they need. 'I have met regularly with clinicians on their return from Gaza, who have shared the most distressing stories of the challenges of providing services to children without the equipment and medication that is needed, and in inadequate facilities where they are daily having to make life and death decisions, when in the UK, they know that they would be able to treat and save so many more lives. 'It is vital that we do everything to provide healthcare at scale and more so, do everything to stop the killing in Gaza.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Raising VAT rates would let Rachel Reeves fill budget black hole and enable growth
Tax rises appear increasingly likely. Polly Toynbee discusses some possible tax changes, including VAT (Both left and right agree taxes must rise. Time for Labour to get creative, 12 August). My view is that a 2.5 percentage point rise in the average VAT rate is the most viable option to raise sufficient revenue without reducing growth. Toynbee also discusses possible changes to inheritance tax and the introduction of a wealth tax. These policies may be redistributive but are unlikely to raise substantial revenue. As an example, Norway currently imposes a wealth tax that raises less than 3% of its non-petroleum tax revenue. Given the urgent need for revenue, a VAT raise is likely to be the UK's best option. First, VAT raises significant revenue, at about 17% of total UK tax revenue. This means that a 2.5 percentage point increase may raise as much as £21bn yearly. This is roughly five times more than what it is expected the government will raise from the stricter taxation of non-domiciles. Second, VAT poses limited harm to growth. Since it also applies to people who are outside the labour market, it dampens work incentives less than income taxes do. A VAT rise may partially replace the government's failure to reform disability benefits. In addition, increases in VAT do not reduce incentives to save, as costs go up by the same ratio today and in the future. And third, VAT can be quite progressive. While new savings are unaffected, old savings that people spend in the future are subject to VAT increases. Most importantly, while the VAT rate is flat, using the revenue to support public services disproportionally benefits the poor. This means that raising sufficient revenue may be most important for BergLecturer, Trinity College, University of Cambridge Anent Polly Toynbee's tax suggestions for Labour, if it regains its heart, may I add two. The best taxes not only raise money but also do societal good. So why not use one to address climate, inequity and safety issues, by taxing cars by their weight and annual mileage as reported at the MOT test? Both relate directly to their energy SeatonEmeritus professor of environmental medicine, University of Aberdeen
