Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Project Stratum funding for Northern Ireland to provide digital broadband across rural areas is still in place.

The Confidence and Supply financial annex committed the UK Government to providing £1 billion to Northern Ireland, including £150 million for broadband. To date, £763 million has been released. Any release of further funding would take place following Parliament’s approval in the normal way through the Estimates process.

At the Budget, the Government also committed £5bn to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to the most difficult-to-reach 20% of the country. This funding will have benefits across the UK, particularly in rural areas.