Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gigabit Broadband

Thursday 10 February 2022 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister provided assurances that gigabit-capable broadband rollout in Suffolk will prioritize areas where commercial providers do not reach.
  • Government steps include ensuring wholesale access requirements in publicly funded broadband contracts to foster a competitive market.
  • Minister committed to improving communication systems to address constituent concerns regarding broadband rollout more effectively.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Science & Technology
Context

Challenges in achieving nationwide gigabit broadband coverage, especially in rural areas like Suffolk where gaps extend to approximately 25% of premises.

Question

I am concerned about the challenges of achieving nationwide gigabit broadband coverage. In Suffolk, the gaps in coverage extend to approximately 25% of premises predominantly in rural areas. What assurances can you provide that gigabit-capable broadband in such rural areas will keep pace with the wider drive towards nationwide coverage?

Answer from Julia Lopez

There is already 97% superfast coverage in Suffolk, but we are creating a competition friendly environment to encourage commercial roll-out and prioritising public money in areas where the commercial roll-out will not reach. Our regional supply of procurements is up and running with Suffolk in phase 1 of that programme. We aim to launch the procurement process by April.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances regarding gigabit-capable broadband for rural areas, only mentioned general roll-out plans.

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Q2 Selaine Saxby
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about consumer choice and access to gigabit-capable broadband services for residents in rural constituencies like North Devon.

Question

With the Government's levelling-up announcement confirming plans for nationwide gigabit-capable broadband by 2030, it is important that consumers have access to every fibre internet service provider on the market, ideally via a wholesaler. What steps are you taking to help ensure fair and reasonable choices for residents in North Devon and the wider south-west?

Answer from Julia Lopez

Thanks in part to our gigabit strategy, there is a thriving market rolling out gigabit-capable broadband all across the country. Publicly funded contracts include requirements for wholesale access and Project Gigabit procurement processes differentiate suppliers on retail offerings they are able to bring. We support industry initiatives to develop a wholesale market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address steps specifically for North Devon or the south-west, only provided general information about strategies.

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Q3 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Transport Science & Technology Local Government
Context

Concerns from The Lee Parish Council regarding assurances about broadband provision along the HS2 Phase One route.

Question

The Lee Parish Council in my constituency received an assurance from HS2 Ltd to keep them updated on discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Broadband UK. They have not heard anything for three years. Can you provide details about these discussions to reassure my constituents?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I am keen that any hon. Member should feel that they can write to me about issues in their area. We are trying to get a much better system up and running so that we can answer such cases more effectively.

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or reassure constituents about ongoing discussions.

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Q4 Lucy Powell Labour (Co-op) Manchester Central
Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about the Government's broadband target and lack of detailed plan for commercially unviable communities.

Question

We have had multiple broadband targets, each weaker than the last. Is the current target nationwide gigabit-capable broadband by 2025 or 85% coverage by 2025? How confident are you about meeting these targets given that the digital divide is growing?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The target is 85%-plus by 2025. We expect to have all our procurements under contract by the end of this Parliament. Ensuring digital connectivity is vital for prosperity and we are confident about meeting these targets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address lack of detailed plan for commercially unviable communities, only provided general confidence in target achievement.

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Q5 Allan Dorans
Scotland Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about UK Government's responsibility for broadband roll-out in Scotland, despite it being a reserved matter.

Question

The Scottish Government have invested hundreds of millions in accelerating superfast broadband roll-out in Scotland. As broadband is reserved, will you insist Cabinet colleagues deliver the funding necessary to roll out superfast broadband as that is the UK Government's responsibility?

Answer from Julia Lopez

This is a Union issue and ensuring connectivity across the Union is part of our levelling up plans. I recently had a productive meeting with Kate Forbes, an excellent Minister, and am happy to continue working on such issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to delivering necessary funding, only mentioned willingness to work on connectivity issues.

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Q6 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Science & Technology Local Government
Context

Concerns about leaving commercially unviable homes behind in villages despite fibre roll-out, specifically mentioning Mentmore.

Question

The Government's focus on gigabit roll-out is right and Buckinghamshire is included in the public review. Will you reassure me that there is a plan to tackle problems like in Mentmore where 20 commercially unviable houses have been left out after fibre installation? How can we ensure once fibre goes into a village, it reaches everyone?

Answer from Julia Lopez

This is a common challenge. We are focusing public resource on premises not connected by commercial roll-out and sharing data with providers to know which premises need covering in contracts. I am happy to look into the specific area of my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a comprehensive plan, only mentioned willingness to investigate specific areas.

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