Highlands and Islands digital connectivity woes, which led to petition from campaigner, spark Holyrood committee’s request for clearer timeline from Scottish Government
Campaigners’ efforts to accelerate work to boost digital connectivity in the Highlands have won support from a Holyrood committee.
The Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee has written to the Scottish Government for further information on its plans to improve the region’s digital connectivity - and to ask for a clearer timeline for the rollout of projects such as Project Gigabit.
It comes after the committee heard a petition from Highlands and islands campaigner John Erskine calling for the development of a new Digital Connectivity Plan for the region.
The petition, which highlights critical issues of digital exclusion and connectivity inequality, calls for the Scottish Government to create a dedicated strategy to close the infrastructure gap, improve mobile internet coverage, and support economic growth, education, and healthcare across the Highlands and Islands.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Erskine welcomed the committee’s decision to progress the petition.
“I am delighted that the committee has taken this issue seriously and has written to the Scottish Government to seek further information on their plans to improve digital connectivity in the region,” he said.
The committee has requested details from the Scottish Government on its current actions to support digital infrastructure improvements in the Highlands and Islands and asked for a clear timeline for the rollout of connectivity projects such as Project Gigabit.
Commenting during the session, committee members noted the significant impact of poor digital connectivity on rural and remote communities, emphasising its role in attracting workers, retaining families, and enabling remote work opportunities.
“While there has been some progress, the fundamental issues of slow delivery and digital exclusion in rural areas remain unresolved,” Mr. Erskine added. “A comprehensive, region-specific strategy is urgently needed to ensure that geography is no longer a barrier to connectivity.”
The petition will remain open as the committee awaits the Scottish Government’s response and continues its inquiry into this critical issue.
Members of the public can support the petition by signing it on the Scottish Parliament's website https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2127.
