Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Lumley Excerpts

Thursday 22nd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

1. What progress he has made on his plans to extend superfast broadband to rural areas.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

10. What progress he has made on his plans to extend superfast broadband to rural areas.

[Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Con)]

13. What progress he has made on his plans to extend superfast broadband to rural areas.

--- Later in debate ---

[Karen Lumley]

Will the Minister congratulate Worcestershire county council, which has set aside £8.5 million in these difficult times to secure superfast broadband? In Redditch we have a £300,000 project to enable residents to stay at home and work instead of travelling into cities. What can the Government do in these times to help local authorities further?

[Mr Vaizey]

We continue to invest a substantial amount in broadband roll-out, and I am happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Worcestershire county council on investing alongside the Government. It is a great testament to the scheme that we have put in place that we have secured private funding and local government funding alongside central Government funding.