Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP has welcomed the news that 65.10% of premises in The Cotswolds now have access to superfast broadband thanks to the Government sticking to its plan to deliver ‘Project Gigabit’. This is part of a £16.6 million contract announced today with the broadband supplier Gigaclear to deliver super-fast broadband to up to 4,400 premises in East Gloucestershire, around 60% of those falling within The Cotswolds.

Over a million properties across the UK, including homes, businesses, and public buildings, now have a seamless internet connection following Government investment, delivering on their plan to create a brighter future for everyone across the country.

The Government announced Project Gigabit in 2019, a flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities access to lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband. 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.

The Government is working with broadband suppliers to achieve at least 85% gigabit coverage of the UK by 2025, and nationwide coverage by 2030. 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.

Better connectivity boosts productivity for businesses and unlocks new digital opportunities for people in every corner of the country, as the Government sticks to the plan to help to grow the economy and create a brighter future for all.

Commenting, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said:

“I have been working on the roll-out of fast broadband in The Cotswolds for some time. The Cotswolds is a rural area with low coverage, however, there have been significant improvements in recent years, and this news today that the Government has signed a £16.6 million contract with Gigaclear with 60% in East Gloucestershire which will cover around 4,400 premises will be a really great addition to what has already been achieved.”

“This will still leave a significant number of what is known as ‘hard-to-reach premises’ and I can assure the owners of those properties that I will continue to work as hard as I can to ensure that they get connected.”

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”.