Sojan Joseph: All Documents

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 01 Sep 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"I have been in regular contact with my constituent, Chloe Pepper, who has expressed serious concerns regarding the welfare of her brother, Ryan. Ryan has been detained in Dubai since the beginning of November, and he has reported that he has experienced mistreatment while in detention, which is a matter …..."
Sojan Joseph - View Speech

View all Sojan Joseph (Lab - Ashford) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Written Question

Broadband and Mobile Phones: Kent

Tuesday 1st September 2026

Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve a) broadband coverage and b) phone signal in rural areas in Kent.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is delivering gigabit broadband to 99% of UK premises by 2032 through a mix of commercial and subsidised roll-out and has an ambition for all populated areas to be able to access higher quality standalone 5G by 2030; this includes rural communities.

Subsidised broadband connections to harder to reach premises are being delivered via Project Gigabit. 8,750 premises across the 13 local authority districts in Kent are included in the scope of a Project Gigabit contract being delivered by CityFibre, of which c.2,550 premises have already received a gigabit-capable connection via the contract.

Following a recent consultation with suppliers on their capability and interest in further delivery through Project Gigabit in the areas previously covered by CityFibre’s contract, a procurement is now under way with Openreach for a new contract to provide coverage to as many of the remaining premises as possible in Kent.

Regarding mobile phone signal improvements, the rollout of higher quality standalone 5G is commercially led by the network operators, and all three have committed significant investment plans which align with the Government’s ambition. Government is undertaking a Mobile Market Review to assess what further action Government can take to support the sector in delivering comprehensive, high-quality connectivity; we expect to set out next steps later this year.

Government also remains committed to unlocking the barriers to the deployment of digital infrastructure. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats (multi-dwelling units). It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May that our proposed leasehold measures are being taken forward through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. In addition, we are pursuing reforms to the mobile planning system in England with MHCLG. Both Departments are carefully considering responses to the recent joint call for evidence on planning reform and we will determine next steps in due course.

Division Vote (Commons)
16 Jul 2026 - Health Bill (Seventeenth sitting) - View Vote Context
Sojan Joseph (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 4 Noes - 9

Division Vote (Commons)
16 Jul 2026 - Health Bill (Sixteenth sitting) - View Vote Context
Sojan Joseph (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 5 Noes - 9