Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new build developments are connected to fibre broadband; and if he will take steps to ensure that new build developments in North East Hertfordshire are connected to fibre broadband.

My Department brokered an agreement in February 2016 between the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Openreach to connect new build developments to superfast broadband, and where possible, ultrafast broadband. Both Virgin Media and the utility provider GTC have made similar agreements with the HBF. Whilst these voluntary agreements between industry stakeholders have been successful and are welcomed, we are monitoring their effectiveness closely. DCMS’ Barrier Busting Task Force are prepared to explore further measures, including legislative options, if necessary in order to ensure residents get the connectivity they deserve.