Digital Connectivity Rural Wales 2023-03-01
2023-03-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised the issue of digital connectivity, referencing Project Gigabit and recent pilots.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving digital connectivity in rural Wales?
The Government are committed to improving digital connectivity as demonstrated by our commitment to Project Gigabit, the shared rural network and, most recently, the new very hard-to-reach pilots, two of which are located in Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues or any concrete actions taken as a result.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Ofcom reported that some 30,000 premises across the UK have no access to decent broadband or 4G signal.
Will the Minister make representations to colleagues in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ensure that areas lacking decent broadband and mobile signals are prioritised in the next iteration of Project Gigabit?
The hon. Member is right to raise that issue. We have Project Gigabit, an ambitious £5 billion project to reach hardest-to-reach areas outside commercial scope, and Alpha trials using satellites, two in Snowdonia National Park. Opportunities through the Mid Wales growth deal are also available.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm representation to colleagues or prioritization of specific areas.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted progress in broadband fibre installation in the Dysynni valley, Gwynedd.
Can my hon. Friend the Minister carry on with the hard work to ensure that there is gigabit connection within Cymru—Wales?
I know that my hon. Friend is a regular visitor to Wales. He is quite right to raise the importance of broadband both to people's modern way of life and also to business. There has been progress, but there is much more to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide any concrete commitments or timelines for gigabit connections in Wales.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
EU structural funds have helped universities deliver research, innovation, skills development in digital transformation, now facing a cliff-edge as EU funding ends.
What conversations has he and the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues to protect valuable skilled jobs?
I thank the hon. Lady for that question. She is right that academic institutions have been reliant on EU structural funding in the past. There is, of course, the shared prosperity fund coming forward, which universities will need to apply to. I know that my colleague the Secretary of State is visiting all universities across Wales.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm any specific conversations or concrete actions to protect jobs.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Project Gigabit aims to deliver lightning-fast reliable broadband across the UK, but Wales has the lowest coverage among home nations.
Does that not represent yet another broken promise by the Tories to Wales?
The hon. Lady is aware that the geography and topography of Wales make digital connections more tricky than in some other areas. She is also aware that it is the Welsh Government who have been leading on the roll-out of broadband in Wales in conjunction with Building Digital UK, and I agree that more work needs to be done to improve those figures.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether low coverage represents a broken promise or provide any commitments to improve it.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Poor connectivity in rural areas is a factor holding businesses back, along with trade barriers.
Can he come up with a solution to protect Holyhead from his Government's policy?
The right hon. Lady recently attended a debate that I responded to in Westminster Hall, where she was making the case for a freeport in Holyhead. She knows that there are opportunities, through freeports, to boost the trade through Holyhead and other ports in Wales seeking designation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a concrete solution or commitment to protect Holyhead's trade.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister said Northern Ireland has privileged access to the UK and EU markets, raising questions about Plaid Cymru's policy.
Why is it not good enough for Wales?
Wales voted to leave the EU quite decisively. The right hon. Lady knows that the situation in Northern Ireland is really quite different from that in Wales, and this is a carefully put together deal to accommodate that situation. I feel quite sure that the EU is not in the business of allowing what she suggests.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the suitability for Wales or provide any solution.
Criticised Previous Government'S Actions
Compared Northern Ireland Situation
Response accuracy