Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Hamish Macleod, Chief Executive of Mobile UK, comments:

“In these uncertain times, the Chancellor rightly flagged the importance of continuing to focus on economic growth. I would urge the Government to grab quick wins. The planning system needs reform to make it fit for 5G.

“Government has a live planning reform consultation. This is welcome but quick implement is key to ensure the planning rules maximise the current 5G investment cycle.

“Faster roll out won’t just make your mobile phone work even better, 5G can help drive economic growth and support delivery of public services. Research commissioned by the Government shows that if 5G technologies are adopted across key industrial sectors, it will deliver between £9–37 billion in economic growth a year by 2035.

“Planning reform will speed up roll out and deliver economic growth quicker. The small changes we propose could deliver between £1-2.5bn in economic benefits. To realise these benefits we really need this reform in place by the time of the next Budget.”

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