Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of gigabit-capable broadband for small businesses in Royal Sutton Coldfield.

The Government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of UK homes and businesses receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032.

As of January 2026, Ofcom reports 80% of commercial premises in the Sutton Coldfield constituency already have access to a gigabit-capable connection. This is higher than the national average of 71%.

As part of Project Gigabit, the Government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK homes and businesses that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme provides a subsidy of up to £4,500 for residents and businesses towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband via local community broadband projects.

Approximately 1,640 premises in the Sutton Coldfield constituency are included in voucher projects and to date, 170 of these premises have already received a gigabit-capable connection due to public subsidy.