Investing in Britain’s Future

Guy Opperman Excerpts

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s comments on the Trafford Park Metrolink extension. On her question, I will certainly look into that, because I do not want the Homes and Communities Agency to be doing anything that holds back housing associations from engaging in appropriate developments. I will take up her point with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

Northumberland residents will welcome the good news about the A1, flood defences, and the potential school rebuilding programme. Greater funding for broadband is key to England’s least densely populated county. I know that my right hon. Friend has visited Northumberland. Will he give more details about the expanded broadband plans?

[Danny Alexander]

There is a broadband plan in Northumberland that has been negotiated by the local authority with the supplier, funded partly by national Government and partly by local government. Today’s announcement is about extending broadband to reach 95% of the population of Northumberland and to work with the industry to find ways to get broadband, whether mobile or 4G, to 99% of the population. We will keep my hon. Friend updated on that.