Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Full-fibre and Gigabit-capable Broadband

Thursday 7 July 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister thanked Sally-Ann Hart for her work on the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill.
  • Keighley constituency has 82% of premises accessing gigabit-capable connections, above the national average.
  • Minister acknowledged progress in East Sussex, praising local councils and parish councils for their efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sally-Ann Hart
Transport Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about delivering full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband by 2025.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to deliver full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband by 2025. In 2011, Ofcom estimated that only 3% of homes and businesses in East Sussex had access to superfast broadband, putting the county in the fourth quintile nationally. Now the figure stands at 98%. We have also seen local villages such as Westfield and Three Oaks working really hard to take advantage of the Government's national rural gigabit voucher scheme.

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she did on the Committee that considered the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill—vital legislation to give all parts of the country great connectivity. I join her in thanking East Sussex County Council and parish councils across the country that have supported local communities to benefit from our £210 million gigabit broadband voucher scheme.

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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about access to good-quality, fast broadband for local businesses in his constituency.

Question

In too many parts of my constituency, access to good-quality, fast broadband is a real issue for local businesses, and our economy is being held back as a result. However, we are making progress, including an additional 25,000 houses being connected through fast gigabit broadband. Could my right hon. Friend update me and the House on what further progress we can make across my constituency to help those businesses that are struggling with access?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I am pleased that 82% of premises in Keighley can already access a gigabit-capable connection, exceeding the national average. I join my hon. Friend in welcoming the recent progress that has been made. We are making good progress to reach premises not included in the suppliers commercial plan through Project Gigabit. Preparations are under way for the procurement covering Keighley, which is due to start between February and April next year.

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Q3 Sally-Ann Hart
Transport Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about delivering full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband by 2025, specifically focusing on progress made in East Sussex.

Question

In 2011, Ofcom estimated that only 3% of homes and businesses in East Sussex had access to superfast broadband, putting the county in the fourth quintile nationally. Now the figure stands at 98%. We have also seen local villages such as Westfield and Three Oaks working really hard to take advantage of the Government's national rural gigabit voucher scheme, supported by the East Sussex rural gigabit top-up scheme.

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she did on the Committee that considered the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill—vital legislation to give all parts of the country great connectivity. I join her in thanking East Sussex County Council and parish councils across the country that have supported local communities to benefit from our £210 million gigabit broadband voucher scheme.

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