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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with broadband providers on how they can improve broadband speed in the parliamentary constituencies with the slowest service.

We hold regular discussions with broadband providers about improving broadband speeds and coverage to all parts of the UK. Considerable progress has been made with only 1 per cent of all UK premises unable to access speeds of 2 Megabits per second or better in December 2016 compared to 11 per cent in 2010.

Through the Government’s Better Broadband Scheme, all homes and businesses can now access broadband speeds of at least 2 Megabits per second which is fast enough for everyone to be able to use government services online. These scheme vouchers can be aggregated amongst the community and used collectively as part of a community solution. Further information can be found at: https://basicbroadbandchecker.culture.gov.uk/,

Broadband providers are increasing their commercial investment guaranteeing higher speeds and extended coverage. They are also responding positively to community-led schemes designed to improve broadband speeds and coverage. Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-led-broadband-schemes