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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many homes have been connected to superfast broadband in the South West.

According to Thinkbroadband 93% of premises in the South West have access to superfast broadband speeds. This is up from 42% in 2010 (http://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/south-west). 17,014 premises have been given superfast coverage so far as a result of this funding. Gainshare funding for the region as a result of take-up which is higher than originally expected is likely to be at least £65 million. This will be available to support further investment.