June Newsletter

The policy changes we can't ignore

June was a chaotic month in the world of policy. The King's Speech, the annual event which outlines the Government's legislative programme for the year ahead, was unveiled just as Keir Starmer's premiership risks total collapse.

The government plans to give leaseholders a formal right to request gigabit-capable broadband through the upcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, and ISPA is engaging with DSIT, MHCLG and parliamentarians to support this while stressing it will not, on its own, remove all MDU rollout barriers. A new Regulatory Reform Bill will introduce a statutory "growth duty" on regulators, aligning with ISPA's interest in ensuring regulation supports innovation and network investment. Further regulatory changes via the Competition Reform Bill and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aim to improve CMA decision-making, merger review clarity and cyber resilience, all of which will shape the wider operating environment for ISPs.

Furthermore, local election results spell potential policy uncertainty ahead as both Conservatives and Labour have lost hundreds of seats across England, with Reform UK in particular, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats all gaining. If you are engaging on a local level, this will naturally cause disruption, with a potentially significant number of councillors new to local administration which may impact local planning.

The UK Government is expected to publish a new Green Paper - a preliminary consultation document - in the next few weeks, which will set out their proposed plan for switching off terrestrial TV signals as part of a move toward internet-based streaming platforms.

This is expected to be contingent upon a number of conditions. "Superfast broadband" connections must be available across the whole of the UK and at affordable prices.

ISPA Policy

ISPA advised the Home Office on draft voluntary guidance on Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) blocking, which is expected to be published in the coming weeks. We now move to supporting the Home Office and working with the Revenge Porn Helpline on developing regulations in this area, as mandated by the Crime and Policing Act. members can be involved in both of these issues through our Online Safety Working Group. Related to NCII, ISPA responded to the Mobile Market Review consultation, to outline why net neutrality is not a decisive factor prohibiting ISPs from blocking NCII.

On the cyber front, ISPA submitted written evidence to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill Public Bill Committee confirming that telecoms fall outside scope, and focusing on the potential for duplication and the need to streamline reporting and compliance support for businesses. With report stage and third reading in the Commons set for 10 June, ISPA is considering engaging with MPs to raise any remaining concerns, particularly around the lack of clarity on the Bill's scope. Ofcom has also consulted on updated guidance for communications providers on security compromise reporting under the Telecommunications Security Act, proposing recalibrated thresholds and revised reporting templates.

On regulatory oversight, the Public Accounts Committee has launched an inquiry into the regulation of water, energy and broadband, examining how regulators define, monitor and enforce customer standards. ISPA submitted written evidence highlighting the broadband sector's strong performance record, calling for it to be treated separately from underperforming utilities, and urging greater regulatory coherence across government. ISPA has also requested a meeting with the Committee to discuss our evidence directly.

On high-risk buildings, ISPA has been actively engaging with MHCLG on two fronts. We submitted a response to the consultation, 'Improving the proportionality of the higher-risk building control regime', reinforcing the case for reducing documentation burdens on telecoms works and extending any dispensations to external wall penetrations. In parallel, we provided additional information to MHCLG following up on our earlier response to 'Improving proportionality and safety outcomes in building control: telecommunications work', and are continuing to engage with officials on next steps.

ISPA also continues to engage with DSIT and MHCLG on the right for leaseholders to request gigabit-capable broadband under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. We submitted a consultation response developed with the MDU Access Working Group, supporting the proposal while making clear it will not on its own fix the barriers to rollout in multi-dwelling units, and we will keep engaging with government and parliamentarians as the Bill progresses through pre-legislative scrutiny.

On social tariffs, ISPA is considering taking a firmer public position in support of direct government intervention, recognising that the current operator-borne model has structural limits and does not reach the most severely excluded. Members are encouraged to share their views.

As always, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!