Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Connectivity

Wednesday 15 November 2023 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Paul Howell inquired about steps to improve rural broadband connectivity in his constituency, highlighting specific areas like Killerby, Summerhouse, and Mordon.
  • The Minister responded that 12 Project Gigabit contracts have been announced to extend gigabit-capable networks, with over 1 billion invested jointly with the industry to enhance 4G mobile coverage.
  • Richard Foord asked about the long-standing issue of superfast broadband access in Northleigh and other rural Devon villages, noting that 51 houses in Northleigh have yet to be connected despite waiting for eight years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paul Howell
Energy Business & Trade Environment
Context

The question arises from the need for improved broadband infrastructure in rural areas, particularly highlighting specific towns and villages facing challenges.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve rural connectivity. My Sedgefield constituency has faced many trials and tribulations in trying to get rural broadband, particularly in Killerby, Summerhouse and Mordon. When I last met the leader of Building Digital UK, I was encouraged about progress. Can the Minister reassure me that he also believes that progress is being made?

Answer from John Whittingdale

We have announced 12 Project Gigabit contracts to extend gigabit-capable networks and are jointly investing over £1 billion with the industry to encourage 4G mobile coverage. In the north-east, there has been faster growth of gigabit broadband coverage than in any other region of the UK. A contract will be signed shortly for further improvements including in Killerby, Summerhouse and Mordon.

Answered
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Q2 Paul Howell
Transport Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from the need for improved broadband infrastructure in rural areas, particularly highlighting specific towns and villages facing challenges.

Question

My Sedgefield constituency has faced many trials and tribulations in trying to get rural broadband, particularly in Killerby, Summerhouse and Mordon. When I last met the leader of Building Digital UK, I was encouraged about progress. Can the Minister reassure me that he also believes that progress is being made?

Answer from John Whittingdale

In the north-east as a whole, we have seen faster growth of gigabit broadband coverage than in any other region. I am encouraged to hear of his discussions with BDUK and hope that a contract will be signed shortly for further improvements including in Killerby, Summerhouse and Mordon.

Answered
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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from the need for improved broadband infrastructure in rural areas, particularly highlighting specific towns and villages facing challenges.

Question

Northleigh is like many other villages in rural Devon in that it has been waiting eight years for superfast broadband. There are 51 houses in Northleigh that are still waiting to be connected. Residents and small businesses are subject to constant emails saying, “Use your vouchers,” but they cannot because contractors are unaccountable. Does the Minister agree with my constituents that the voucher scheme is ineffective and should be scrapped?

Answer from John Whittingdale

The voucher scheme has delivered gigabit broadband to thousands of constituents up and down the country. At the same time, we are rolling out the procurement contract. I know there are particular challenges in Honiton and Sidmouth but we have extended gigabit coverage to 78% of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about whether the voucher scheme is ineffective and should be scrapped was not directly addressed.

How: I Do Not Agree With That.

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