Access to broadband services
Sharing your experiences for a Parliamentary debate
On Wednesday 6 September 2023, Alyn Smith MP led a Westminster Hall debate on access to broadband services.
To inform his debate, he asked to hear how you – or those you know – are impacted by any limits to broadband access.
He thanked those who responded to the survey:
"My thanks go to everyone who helped me to prepare for this debate by sharing their experiences of broadband access.
"As you’ll see in the debate transcript, many of the points you raised were discussed both by myself and the other MPs present.
"These included the impact of limited broadband access on:
- Working from home
- Access to things like banking, ticketing, travel, and public services
- Young people and education
- Household finances.
"Many of you also made suggestions which were covered in the debate, like prioritising areas with low connectivity ahead of more well-connected areas.
"There was also much discussion of the targets, projects and organisations involved in building broadband infrastructure.
"Thank you again for taking the time to contribute on this important topic."
The Government's response
The Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale MP, responded to the debate on behalf of the Government. He addressed the Government's current policy agenda and future ambitions related to the debate topic.
Read, watch or listen to his full speech in which he covers a range of topics including:
- Project Gigabit, the Government’s £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access gigabit-capable broadband
- The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, providing £4,500 per premises for homes and businesses who experience slow broadband speeds in rural areas
- Discussions with devolved administrations on relevant schemes to improve broadband access, such as Scotland's R100 initiative
- Collaboration with the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions in developing digital skills for adults
- Encouraging providers to offer and promote social tariffs, cheaper broadband packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other benefits.
How it works
How your contributions are shared
In these exercises, members of the public who have signed relevant petitions or are subscribed to parliamentary newsletters are invited to share their experiences and ideas.
These are passed on to the MP leading the debate, who may refer to them directly in their speeches.
Find other petitions on the Petitions website
Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for latest info on free activities online and around the UK to help you get involved and make a difference.
What happens next?
If you shared your email in the survey, we’ll send you an update after the debate with links to watch it, read the transcript, and information about the Government's response.
What is a Westminster Hall Debate?
Westminster Hall debates take place in the Grand Committee Room in the House of Commons.
They give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. This means that Westminster debates don’t end in a vote on a particular action or decision.
How Parliament works: Westminster Hall debates.
Parliamentary resources
Research from the House of Commons Library
- Superfast broadband in the UK (March 2021)
- Gigabit broadband in the UK: Government targets, policy, and funding (July 2023)
Relevant committee inquiries
- Public Accounts Committee: Improving Broadband (October 2020)
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You can see upcoming debates and other parliamentary business on Parliament's What's on page.
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