Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness, will lead a debate on Monday 12th October in the House of Commons chamber, calling on the Government to host a ‘not-spot summit’ to look at ways to tackle the variations in the roll-out of broadband and mobile internet across the UK. Also examining how best to complete the national roll-out to cover the whole country, the debate will be the first dedicated session on fixed and mobile broadband roll-out in Parliament since the General Election.
Following the success of his Westminster Hall debate on broadband in June, Matt applied to Parliament’s Backbench Business Committee for a full, three-hour debate in the Commons chamber to allow more MPs to contribute, and to look more closely at the future of this vitally important national infrastructure project. As of 8th October, 25 Members from across the main parties have registered their names to make formal speeches in the three-hour session, with many more expected to attend and speak.
The debate will cover both mobile and fixed connections, and call on the Government to convene a ‘not-spot summit’, which would look at both rural and urban areas, and ways to address the variations in coverage.
Matt said, “I was delighted that my application for a full debate on the floor of the House was successful, and it is fantastic that so many MPs have registered their interest in speaking. This is an issue which affects constituencies across many different parts of the UK, and I look forward to hearing contributions from my colleagues on their local experiences. I also hope that the Minister will agree to host a summit to consider the issue, so that we can work to ensure that the whole of the UK has effective broadband and mobile coverage.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The full motion for debate is as follows:
That this House notes variations in the effectiveness of roll-out of fixed and mobile superfast broadband in different parts of the UK; and calls on the Government to host a not-spot summit to consider ways to tackle this issue.