Connecting the countryside - ensuring Project Gigabit focuses on rural areas
It’s vital that Project Gigabit supports those with connectivity issues in the countryside. On behalf of rural communities, the CLA has responded to proposed changes which would make the project more urban-focused
The CLA has sprung into action to prevent any change in the aims of Project Gigabit.
The previous government launched Project Gigabit in 2021 with £5bn of funding. The broad aim of the project is to ensure that 85% of the country has full-fibre broadband coverage by 2025 and encourage broadband providers to deliver broadband where it would otherwise be commercially unviable. It’s logical, therefore, to expect the majority of its funding to be focused on rural areas where the need is highest.
There have been reports however that the body overseeing the programme, Building Digital UK, has been exploring plans to use funding to tackle internet ‘not spots’ in urban areas. This would include areas of cities such as London that do not currently have gigabit-capable broadband.
This would be against the original aims of the programme and not address the need to reduce the urban-rural digital divide. The government regulator Ofcom shows that only 49% of rural households can get gigabit-capable broadband. In comparison, 85% of urban households already have access to this.
The CLA's response
In reaction to this, the CLA has devised a joint letter with the former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Sir John Whittingdale. In the letter, we have called for clarity over the objectives for Project Gigabit. We have also asked for the UK Government to retain the full £5bn intended for the programme and to guarantee that future spend is focused on rural areas.
This letter has received significant interest from the Conservative opposition and garnered more than 50 signatories. This includes the Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Shadow Business and Trade Secretary Kevin Hollinrake and the former Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.
The full letter and list of candidate signatories is available to read here.
The CLA continues to advocate for greater connectivity for all rural communities and works extensively with government departments and the rural connectivity forum.