Broadband Rural Communities 2025-05-14

2025-05-14

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Steff Aquarone LD
North Norfolk
Context
Rural villages in Steff Aquarone's constituency suffer from poor broadband access with no clear timeline for improvement. The community of Banningham is particularly affected, having endured poor access for years.
Many rural villages in my constituency still suffer from poor broadband access, with no clear date for when it will get better and more demands for huge expenditure to get them connected to the network. I think particularly of residents in Banningham, who have suffered from poor broadband access for years and feel they are at the bottom of the pile. In Finland, the broadband roll-out started with the hardest-to-reach properties and reached inwards, tackling the biggest challenges first. Does the Minister agree that a roll-out strategy like that, rather than one that goes for the easiest properties first, would have served those communities better and faster?
Rural broadband coverage simply is not good enough. The largest chunk of broadband delivery will be done on a commercial basis by the private sector, but we do not want to use taxpayers’ money where it could probably be done commercially. I did not catch the name of the village that was mentioned, but if he has been to one of my Building Digital UK drop-in sessions and needs further information for that particular village, I would be very happy to try to sort it.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether a roll-out strategy similar to Finland's approach is better or faster, instead focusing on commercial delivery by the private sector.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Chris Kane Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Context
Residents in Balquhidder, a rurally isolated community, have laid fibre optic cable themselves using the Government’s broadband voucher scheme to partner with a small business. However, the Government payment processes have been struggling to engage with this volunteer-led project for over a year.
In my constituency, residents of the rurally isolated community of Balquhidder did not wait for a major provider; they dug and laid 34 km of fibre optic cable themselves using the Government’s broadband voucher scheme to partner with a small business and deliver gigabit broadband—a remarkable achievement. That success is now at risk, however, because for well over a year the Government payment processes have been struggling to engage with the volunteer-led project. Will the Minister meet me to help resolve that, and will he join me on a visit to the beautiful Balquhidder glen to see at first hand what that resourceful and determined community have delivered?
Everybody tells me that Balquhidder is very beautiful, even my hon. Friend told me earlier this morning. I would be interested in a visit if it were also possible to visit the new film studio that might be coming to his constituency. Stirling is one matter but Strathallan and the wide rural areas are different. I would be very happy to try to sort out the specific issues he has in Balquhidder.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to meeting or joining for a visit immediately, instead expressing interest if it involved other matters like film studios.
Response accuracy