Law Change Offers Hope for Better Broadband

Local MP Graham Stuart is helping change the law so everyone is entitled to decent broadband. After years of campaigning on the issue Graham has secured a place on the Bill Committee of the Digital Economy Bill which will take forward proposals for a Universal Service Obligation so that suppliers have to provide decent broadband. He is the Government Whip in charge of taking the law through the House of Commons and is determined to see its provisions become law. He’s asking local residents in Beverley and Holderness constituency to show their support and follow the law’s progress on Facebook. All they have to do is make a friend request to Graham (www.facebook.com/grahamstuart62).

By March this year, 90% of UK homes had access to superfast broadband, a figure projected to rise to 95% by the end of 2017.  Many of the final 5% of homes are concentrated in rural areas like the East Riding.  Inorder to address this the Conservatives have promised to introduce a broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) to allow those with poor connections the legal right to request a fast connection, expected to be at least 10Mbps. 

As the Government Whip for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, from next week Graham will be helping drive forward the Digital Economy Bill through its Committee Stage in the House of Commons, where its proposals will be examined in detail.  Ahead of this, he is asking his constituents to stand up and be counted.

Graham said, “I’m delighted we’re tackling the slow internet speeds that still hold too many rural communities and businesses back.  The planned Universal Service Obligation will give a minimum level of broadband to everyone on reasonable request and at an affordable price, irrespective of where they live.

“Whatever the opposition from some in the industry I’m determined to see East Riding residents put first and this USO become law. We need to get the Bill through the key Parliamentary test of committee and the more public support that can be shown the better. I hope lots of people in Beverley and Holderness will show they back this proposal and follow it on Facebook by sending me a friend request.”

The Countryside Alliance head of policy, Sarah Lee, stated:

“We hope that the commitment in the Digital Economy Bill to deliver a Universal Service Obligation (USO) of 10Mbit/s will ensure that much needed digital connectivity is achieved in rural areas. Continued poor connectivity in the countryside represents a huge missed opportunity for economic development and must be addressed as a priority.”