Rural Broadband: Installation Debate
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Catherine Fookes
Main Page: Catherine Fookes (Labour - Monmouthshire)Department Debates - View all Catherine Fookes's debates with the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Rural Broadband: Installation
Catherine Fookes Excerpts(1 day, 10 hours ago)
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Sir Ashley Fox
I agree with the hon. Gentleman. He and I have perhaps similar constituencies, in that we have one large dominant town and a hinterland of many small villages and hamlets. Those in the town often have a very good service, while those in the small villages do not.
A lack of reliable broadband limits productivity, increases stress and makes it harder for rural businesses to compete on an equal footing.
Catherine Fookes (Monmouthshire) (Lab)
I thank the hon. Member for securing this really important debate. My broadband survey in Monmouthshire shows that communities such as Trellech, Llangwm and Mamhilad have really big issues with broadband. Will the hon. Member address the issues for people personally, not just for business? A man from my constituency got in touch with me whose wife was disabled. She sadly passed away in May, but he told me that because a lot of the management of her condition was supposed to be online, and online systems were used to get her health sorted out, that made life very difficult for him. I could give countless other examples. Will the Minister address the fact that we must prioritise rural broadband in Wales?
Sir Ashley Fox
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that point.
The lack of reliable broadband discourages innovation and investment, and pushes people towards cities and towns—not because they want to leave their beautiful, rural life, but because they feel they have no real choice.
The hon. Member for Monmouthshire (Catherine Fookes) anticipated my next point: it is not only businesses that suffer. Families struggle to access online education, healthcare services and remote work opportunities. Young people are placed at a disadvantage simply because of where they live.