Oral Answers to Questions

Jerome Mayhew Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

1. What recent steps her Department has taken to improve internet connectivity.

[Jerome Mayhew (Broadland) (Con)]

4. What recent steps her Department has taken to improve internet connectivity.

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

7. What recent steps her Department has taken to improve internet connectivity.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jerome Mayhew]

Fast internet connections are just as important in rural areas such as Broadland and Fakenham as they are in the rest of the country. 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, but will the Minister explain why it is taking so long and how we can accelerate the project even more?

[Julia Lopez]

We are rolling out gigabit networks faster than any EU country. I understand that the east of England has had 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.