Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Matt Hancock

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

3. What support her Department is giving local authorities to achieve superfast broadband coverage targets.

[The Minister for Digital and Culture (Matt Hancock)]

I can tell the House that independent figures show that superfast broadband is now available to 92.5% of UK premises; we are on track to meet our manifesto commitment of 95% by the end of the year.

[Tom Pursglove]

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. The superfast roll-out in Northamptonshire is ahead of schedule, but what reassurance can he give to my constituents in the most difficult-to-reach areas, particularly those who find themselves on county boundaries, that they will soon benefit from this roll-out, too?

[Matt Hancock]

My hon. Friend’s support for the Digital Economy Bill means that the universal service obligation to bring high-speed broadband to every premise in the UK is getting closer to reality. Not only that, but because of the take-up of superfast broadband, every person in Northamptonshire who takes it up also helps to get the roll-out to go further, because more money goes back into the system to provide more connection.