Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Internet Connectivity

Wednesday 22 May 2024 · 7 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • More than 82% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, up from 6% in January 2019.
  • Project Gigabit has signed 31 contracts, with another contract signed recently for Yorkshire.
  • The government aims to ensure 99% of premises in the UK will have gigabit-capable coverage by the end of Project Gigabit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Selaine Saxby
Science & Technology
Context

The MP noted that internet access is crucial for economic and social development. She referenced the government's commitment to improving broadband coverage.

Question

What recent steps have been taken by her Department to improve internet connectivity?

Answer from Julia Lopez

More than 82% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, up from just 6% in January 2019. The National Infrastructure Commission reported we are on track to meet our target of 85% gigabit coverage by 2025. Through Project Gigabit, 31 contracts have been signed, with another this week, to bring fast, reliable connectivity to hard-to-reach communities across the UK. Investment in fixed networks increased by 40% from 2019 to 2022.

Answered
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Q2 Julian Sturdy Con
Science & Technology
Context

The MP expressed concern about a digital divide being created where certain communities are upgraded faster than others.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we need to ensure we do not create a new digital divide? This is causing a lot of concern in my constituency, where a continuing digital divide is being created.

Answer from Julia Lopez

Making sure we do not have a digital divide is at the heart of Project Gigabit. By the time the programme ends, 99% of premises in our country will have gigabit-capable coverage, but during roll-out some will get that coverage sooner than others. We just had a new contract signed for Yorkshire which covers 3,400 premises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address how to prevent the digital divide in communities between commercial roll-outs and Project Gigabit

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Q3 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Science & Technology
Context

The MP welcomed the Government's gigabit project but expressed concern over its slow pace.

Question

In rural areas such as Broadland and Fakenham, fast internet connections are just as important. I welcome the Government's gigabit project. In Norfolk, it is rolling out 62,000 new connections and unlocking another 45,000 from the commercial sector. Why is it taking so long and how can we accelerate the project?

Answer from Julia Lopez

We are rolling out gigabit networks faster than any EU country. The east of England has particular connectivity challenges, which is why four contracts are being rolled out across that part of the country. As my hon. Friend said, there are 62,000 premises in Norfolk, 8,000 of which will be in his constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address how to accelerate the project's rollout in rural areas.

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Q4 Selaine Saxby
Science & Technology
Context

The MP noted her constituency's progress but sought more information on addressing the shortfall in coverage.

Question

My constituency has seen an increase from 3% gigabit-capable broadband access to 54% as of March. What can my hon. Friend do to address the shortfall in coverage in the hardest-to-reach areas, and to expedite those awaiting a type C procurement contract?

Answer from Julia Lopez

My hon. Friend has probably been one of the strongest and toughest broadband champions in this House. I think of her and my hon. Friend the Member for Banff and Buchan always when I have meetings with Building Digital UK. Let me reassure her that we are making very good progress on type C. We have named a preferred supplier for that contract, and hope to have more news soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address how to expedite those awaiting a type C procurement contract.

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Q5 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Science & Technology
Context

The MP expressed concern about broadband poles being put up in her constituency.

Question

Hull already has high superfast broadband. What can the Minister do to force companies to share their infrastructure and stop the blight of ever-increasing numbers of poles appearing up and down our streets?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I have met the hon. Lady about this issue, and I have made representations to KCOM and Connexin. Productive talks are under way between them, overseen by Ofcom. We hope that a lot more progress will be made, and that network roll-outs will be paused when there seems to be overbuild.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address how the Minister can force companies to share infrastructure.

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Q6 Gen Kitchen Lab Wellingborough and Rushden
Economy Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP noted that access to the internet through libraries and schools is a key tool for employment and betterment in her constituency.

Question

In Wellingborough and Rushden, what is the Department doing to ensure that low-income households have access to digital services?

Answer from Julia Lopez

We have encouraged social tariffs rolled out by a large number of operators. Constituents of hers who are on benefits will be able to access those. They cost from £10 a month, bringing cheap connectivity to everybody.

Answered
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Q7 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted that internet connectivity is essential for rural businesses, especially during tourism season.

Question

What message does the Minister have for businesses that will struggle to keep going this summer with no internet connection or poor broadband speeds?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, but that is not a true representation of what the NAO said about the shared rural network. We are making very good progress and hope soon to be able to share coverage maps showing the progress made. On the roll-out of gigabit, he may be interested to know that the Welsh Government made representations to us about bringing it in-house because we were making much better progress in England than they were in Wales.

Not addressed: The answer did not address his concerns about internet reliability for rural businesses this summer.

How: Changed Subject

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