6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of fibre optic cables across the Rutherglen Constituency. (S5O-00604)

The Scottish Government’s investment through the digital Scotland superfast broadband programme has delivered fibre connections to more than 6,100 homes and businesses in the Rutherglen Constituency, with more than 99 per cent of those who are connected being able to achieve superfast speeds.

It has been brought to my attention that some new housing developments in my Rutherglen Constituency have been built with only partial access to fibre optic internet connectivity being made available at the time when homes are constructed. I understand that the United Kingdom Government has struck a deal to avoid that situation in future. What assurances has the Scottish Government received from the UK Government that that will apply to housing developments such as those in Rutherglen?

The Scottish Government has discussed the issue with BT Openreach, which we understand offered to provide fibre to the premises. It has offered connectivity to housing developments of 30 properties or more and has a tariff proposal for smaller developments. I intend to have further discussions with BT about that.

From 1 January, amendments to the building regulations set out a standard for in-building physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications networks, which is rather a mouthful. It enables at any time easier installation of fibre in existing buildings.

The Scottish Government has acted in both respects on the important matter that Clare Haughey raised.