Questioning the Prime Minister in the House of Commons yesterday, Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies highlighted the problems many residents in the Waen, near St Asaph, are experiencing with poor broadband connections and asked Boris Johnson what he could do to help them.
James explained that sizeable parts of the community are struggling because of inadequate broadband and said whilst there is an opportunity to rectify the issue, funding for it falls short.
He said:
“Large sections of the Waen, near St Asaph in my constituency, have very poor broadband connections. Top-up gigabit vouchers, provided via community fibre partnerships, have the potential to raise much of the £200,000 needed to address the situation, but there is a 24% shortfall.
“What can my right hon. Friend do to assist my constituents who are stuck in this position?”
The Prime Minister replied:
“BT Openreach recently extended its offer of commercial coverage for gigabit broadband to services in my hon. Friend’s area - in the community that he mentions - and that is partly because of the super deduction in taxation in respect of investment that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced recently at the Budget.”
Speaking afterwards, James added:
“The Covid pandemic, which has resulted in more people than ever working and studying from home, has highlighted to us all the importance of having highspeed, reliable broadband.
“Whilst I have been pleased to see full fibre broadband rolled out to many parts of the Vale of Clwyd over the past 12 months, I am keen to ensure all rural areas are included too.
“Nobody in this day and age should be without a dependable connection and it is therefore vital that we ensure that the 24% shortfall in funding is met so that those living on the Waen have reliable broadband.”
