The UK’s culture Lisa Nandy stepped in to intervene in BT Group’s acquisition of TalkTalk, citing risks to public ⁠services and ​vulnerable customers ‌if the ‌broadband provider’s ‌services were disrupted.

Phone and broadband services are vital national infrastructure. If TalkTalk services fail, there is a genuine risk to life and public services – including to hospitals, schools and emergency care.

These are unprecedented circumstances that require action now. That is why I am acting with urgency to ensure that impacts on public health, critical national infrastructure and supply to vulnerable customers are fully considered as part of this process.