Burnley and Padiham’s MP Antony Higginbotham has welcomed the news that 91.6% of premises in Burnley and Padiham now have access to superfast broadband thanks to the Government sticking to its plan to deliver ‘Project Gigabit’.
Over a million properties across the UK, including homes, businesses and public buildings, now have a seamless internet connection following Government investment.
Back in 2019 the Conservative Government announced Project Gigabit – a flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities access to lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband. And by sticking to this plan, gigabit coverage across the UK has increased rapidly in recent years – from one in ten households in 2019 to eight in ten today.
As figures shows, the majority of premises can now access gigabit-capable networks and is a significant improvement in a short timeframe, with the UK currently building gigabit networks faster than any EU country.
Commenting, Antony Higginbotham MP said:
With people relying more and more on the internet, not just to keep in touch with family and friends, but for work purposes too – it’s important that internet speeds keep pace.
That’s why delivering on ‘Project Gigabit’ is so crucial. With recent figures showing 91.6% of homes within the borough are now able to access lighting fast internet, it’s clear our plan to level up broadband is working. Of course we need to get that figure to 100% but we’re seeing great progress in this area.”
Commenting, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, said:
Achieving a million gigabit-ready premises shows our plan to turbocharge British broadband is working. Thanks to our investment, rural communities held back by achingly slow internet can now tap into the best speeds on the market.
The UK is rolling out gigabit networks faster than any country in the EU, with 8 in 10 premises now able to access upgrades. It is a track record that shows we are rapidly building the infrastructure Britain needs to improve lives and grow the economy.
