McVey argues that reliable online connection is essential and not just a luxury. The National Audit Office reported internet demand growing at 40% annually, while the industry boasts only 96% of the country has at least 24-megabit capability. She highlights constituents' struggles with unreliable connectivity and slow speeds in rural areas like Tatton and Cheshire. McVey points out that digital infrastructure is necessary for levelling up, social mobility, and a fairer economy.

Thanked the right hon. Member for Tatton for securing the debate and agreed with her almost entirely. Emphasised the digital divide, noting that 9 million people cannot use the internet independently and that 23% of the poorest families do not have home access to broadband and a computer. Highlighted regional disparities such as 49% in the south-east compared to 18% in the north-east using the internet fully. Advocated for a focus on lifelong learning, digital skills, and infrastructure investment to combat digital inequalities. Mentioned Sunderland's Smart City plan, including free superfast public wi-fi rollouts that have had over 7.5 new instances of wi-fi use with a total of 18,500 connections in January to October 2020.

Intervened to highlight the economic impact of digital undereducation, noting that it costs an estimated £60 billion annually. This figure underscores the importance of addressing digital skills shortages.

Congratulated the Members for Tatton and Sunderland Central on securing the debate, highlighting that one in five people have internet speeds below the Government's definition of 'decent'. Noted digital exclusion is widespread due to affordability issues. Emphasised the need for better broadband roll-out prioritisation and warned about rising costs potentially pricing out poorer communities from faster internet access.

I thank the right hon. Member for Tatton for bringing this debate to the House today because connectivity is extremely important in my constituency. I have had continuous issues with poor connectivity since giving notice about it in my maiden speech. Connectivity aids in reducing loneliness among single elderly people by allowing them to communicate online, but there are still many areas lacking basic internet access which exacerbates isolation and has been heart-rending for some residents. The Campaign to End Loneliness noted that half of people over 75 live alone, making connectivity crucial during the pandemic and beyond for small businesses and tourism in my constituency. I ask the Minister to consider a commission or inquiry into why broadband rollout hasn't progressed as expected and suggest decentralising civil service functions out of London to demonstrate that work can be done remotely effectively.

I welcome the Government’s commitment in the national infrastructure strategy to achieve at least 85% gigabit-capable coverage by 2025 and further accelerate rollout. In my constituency, while parts have excellent broadband, rural areas suffer from poor connectivity. I support the residents of Sileby and Wymeswold in accessing full-fibre connection despite initial funding issues. Openreach eventually funded the project but similar cases often face challenges. I urge the Minister to apply gigabit-capable connections retroactively for housing developments built over the last decade, ensuring all constituents throughout Loughborough have superfast connectivity.

I thank my right hon. Friend for bringing this debate and make the case for improved broadband connectivity in rural areas such as West Dorset, highlighting the stark contrast between urban and rural internet speeds. I urge the Minister to ensure that projects like the full-fibre spine project in Dorset are fully funded with haste.

I describe the situation of poor connectivity in my constituency, illustrating the digital divide by comparing internet speeds between London and remote Scottish isles. I argue for a more inclusive approach to broadband deployment that addresses the needs of the most economically fragile communities.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on raising this issue and discuss the impact of digital connectivity during the pandemic, highlighting the need for widespread connectivity across the UK to support remote working and various online services. I emphasise the importance of addressing hard-to-reach areas like my constituency in the south-west.

I thank and congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton on bringing this important debate to the House. I start by recognising what the Government have done in this space, where we have some very positive developments. The Government are seeking not just the sugar rush of investment in the productivity sweet spots of our country but long-term investment in the future of all our communities. I particularly congratulate the Government on issuing 40,000 vouchers under the rural gigabit broadband voucher scheme and connecting 500,000 premises to gigabit broadband in the past year. The internet is the saviour of the countryside as it means more remote working, start-ups, and young people staying in the countryside. I urge the Minister to address the digital divide by investing in social infrastructure to ensure that everyone can use the technology effectively.

If we have learnt anything from the pandemic, it is surely that broadband is an essential component of modern life. The UK’s average broadband speed places us 22nd out of 29 western European nations and my rural constituency languishes at 634th out of the 650 UK constituencies for its connectivity. Workers in the rural economy are at least 16% less productive than the national average due to inadequate broadband coverage. I am disappointed that the decision has been taken to reduce the target of achieving 100% gigabit-capable coverage by 2025, which will inevitably condemn many rural communities to being stuck with inadequate broadband and increase the urban-rural divide.

I welcome some of the initiatives being introduced to connect in some of the hard-to-reach areas, such as the village of Lymm. Connecting every constituency and every home in the north-west of England to full fibre broadband by 2025 would create a £5.5 billion boost to the region’s economy; 54,000 people in the region could be brought back into the workforce through enhanced connectivity. We need the Minister to confirm rapidly how much money will be available in the voucher scheme after March next year to secure rapid connections for villages across constituencies. I wish to finish by talking about some of the communities that are excluded even though they have superfast broadband, as headteachers talked to me last week about pupils in deprived areas who did not have a laptop or parents who could support them digitally.

The speaker highlighted the importance of broadband and mobile phone reception in the 21st century, noting that while the Government is making progress, North Norfolk's average broadband speed was just 35.7 Mbps, half the national average. He mentioned the challenge of providing coverage to the last 5% at reasonable costs, typically around £50,000 per home, and suggested that some of the £5 billion allocated might come to his constituency to help solve this issue. Emphasising the role of good broadband in post-COVID recovery, he stressed the need for a reliable mobile signal before rolling out 4G or 5G.

The speaker congratulated his right hon. Friend on securing the debate and highlighted the importance of digital skills in job acquisition, noting that 9 million people struggle with internet use independently. He proposed a VAT reduction to 5% on broadband services, which would save £70 per household but cost £2 billion to the Treasury. He also discussed Silicon Stoke's full-fibre network project set to launch by April 2021 in his constituency, emphasising its potential economic and educational benefits, including an immersive learning experience for students through virtual reality.

Congratulates Esther McVey on securing the debate and highlights the importance of broadband connectivity. Emphasises the digital divide between those who have reliable high-speed connections and those who do not, citing stark contrasts in his constituency between urban and rural areas. Praises Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland superfast broadband programme but criticises delays in R100 programme due to legal disputes. Advocates for altnet providers and expresses concern over proposed punitive charges by Openreach that could be anti-competitive. Highlights the importance of ensuring infrastructure is accessible, safe, and accompanied by digital skills training. Urges government action against online harms through legislation.

Thanked the right hon. Member for Tatton and my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland Central for securing this debate on digital connectivity and opportunity, highlighting the importance of digital services during the pandemic, mentioning that almost 50% of people are currently working from home and 80% feel digital technology has been a vital support in lockdown if they have access to it. Emphasised the economic importance of reliable and fast digital connectivity, noting that the UK's full-fibre coverage rate is one of the lowest in Europe at 14%. Criticised successive Tory Governments for wasted years on telecoms infrastructure, mentioning the downgrading of broadband targets from 'full fibre to all by 2025' to 'universal gigabit-capable broadband', and then further backtracking. Highlighted that BT’s analysis shows full-fibre coverage will reach only 70% of UK premises by 2025 without key barriers removal, making the revised target unrealistic. Raised concerns over local authorities being involved in the delivery of broadband and 5G infrastructure, mentioned 1.9 million households without internet access, 155,000 properties unable to get decent broadband, and 476,000 rural premises lacking adequate broadband or mobile reception. Stressed the need for network access to protect vulnerable people, citing FutureDotNow’s estimate that between 175,000 and 500,000 shielded individuals had no internet access during the pandemic due to website references in instructions. Questioned the Minister about digital inclusion targets and asked what is being done to provide essential digital skills and access.

Congratulated the right hon. Member for Tatton on securing the debate. Emphasised the importance of connectivity in improving social inclusion and economic opportunities, mentioning that gigabit-capable coverage has risen from 9% to one third since the Government took office in 2019. Announced plans to deliver half of all connections as gigabit-capable by the end of next year.

Joined with the right hon. Member for Tatton to secure the debate, focusing on the disparities in broadband connectivity between urban and rural areas and highlighting the need for faster deployment of infrastructure to ensure that no one is left behind.

Emphasised the importance of ensuring people take up broadband where it is available, supporting the Government's efforts in this regard. Highlighted the need for greater demand to encourage private sector investment in broadband infrastructure.

Asked questions about the allocation of laptops and devices during the pandemic, expressing concerns over the cut in funding for children who lacked home internet access. Raised issues regarding smaller networks used by lower-income individuals.