Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Warman and Lindsay Hoyle

Tuesday 29th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Come on, Minister—you said you had already answered it once.

[Matt Warman (Boston and Skegness) (Con)]

The proposed takeover of Activision by Microsoft has the potential to have a profound impact on many of Britain’s brilliant video games industry manufacturers and makers. Although I know that the Secretary of State will not want to comment on the specifics of that case, can he reassure me that the Competition and Markets Authority has all the resources it needs to come to the right conclusion and to do so as thoroughly and rapidly as possible on this important matter?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Warman and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 16th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Matt Warman]

I enjoyed the hon. Lady’s speech, Mr Speaker. The fact remains that this is a £5 billion commitment to—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I just say gently to the Minister that I make the judgment call. He is very kind to offer his assistance, but I will let him know when I need it.

[Matt Warman]

Absolutely, Mr Speaker.

The fact remains that this is a £5 billion commitment to getting as close to 100% broadband across this country as fast as we possibly can. The only barrier to doing that is the speed with which we can dig up the roads and lay the cables. This Government will do every single thing we can to make sure that every single barrier is removed in order to spend every penny of that £5 billion as quickly as we possibly can.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Warman and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 20th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[Matt Warman]

My hon. Friend is right to say that community fibre partnerships, although they work well in some places, do not work well everywhere. That is why Project Gigabit is so important; that £5 billion of Government money will be coming down the tracks very quickly. We published plans in April and there will be more detail in June, and Ashfield certainly will not be left behind.

[Mr Speaker]

Jack Brereton. Not here. That is one down on his score.

[Dr Poulter [V]]

I thank the Minister for his helpful answers so far in response to the substantive question. I want to ask him specifically about access for homes in very rural areas, which have historically had not much better than dial-up speeds. How will he help those homes? In Suffolk, we have found that fibre-to-cabinet is not adequate in improving broadband speeds in many of our more rural parishes and villages. What will he do for very rural areas that need better than fibre-to-cabinet?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Warman and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 24th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Matt Warman]

My hon. Friend is right that far too much of the country does not yet have the mobile coverage it needs and deserves, and that is why the shared rural network exists. As I said in my answer, it is already being rolled out, and its positive effects will be felt well before 2025. I look forward, with my hon. Friend and others, to engaging with the mobile networks to make sure that those plans come forward as quickly as possible.

[Mr Speaker]

Gagan Mohindra? Not here.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Warman and Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 9th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Matt Warman]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that good role models are crucial, now perhaps more than ever. I am delighted to offer my support and that of the Department to his new project, and I look forward to discussing it more with him.

[Mr Speaker]

I am sorry, but we now have to go to topicals.