Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Kerr Excerpts

Thursday 21st December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

4. If she will assume responsibility for ensuring the delivery of broadband in Scotland.

[The Minister for Digital (Matt Hancock)]

Merry Christmas to you, Mr Speaker, and a happy Christmas to friends across the House, including the hon. Member for Weaver Vale (Mike Amesbury). In the past we decided to deliver broadband in Scotland through the Scottish Government. We provided additional funding in February 2014 to support further roll-out, but the Scottish Government have only just begun the procurement process using the funding and are not expecting to have an agreed contract until the end of next year—over three years behind Wales, England and Northern Ireland. In future, therefore, the Government will implement the new full fibre programme and the 5G programme directly with local authorities to ensure efficient delivery.

[Stephen Kerr]

I thank the Minister for his response and for his recent visit to my constituency. Given the Ofcom “Connected nations” report, which describes the situation he has summarised—the Scottish Government have not even started the second phase of delivery—will he confirm that his Department will work directly with local councils in Scotland to implement future phases of broadband roll-out?

[Matt Hancock]

Yes, I will.