Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to increase the £5 billion of Government funding for the delivery nationwide one-gibibit-capable broadband.

The government recognises the importance of connectivity both to the economy and to people’s lives. We are committed to nationwide gigabit-capable broadband as soon as possible, and are taking a number of steps to achieve this.

The March Budget this year committed £5 billion to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband in the hardest to reach areas. This is the largest ever public investment by a UK government in digital connectivity.

As well as this, the government is encouraging competition and making it easier for commercial investment in gigabit-capable broadband. For example, we have introduced legislation to make it easier to install gigabit-capable broadband in blocks of flats, and confirmed we will legislate to ensure new build homes are built with gigabit-capable broadband.

The Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be published in the autumn, will set out the government’s spending plans.