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Broadband

Asked by Claire HazelgroveLabourDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 24929

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of regional differences in broadband reliability and average download speeds; what steps she is taking to improve digital connectivity for people in the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency.

Answered by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

The Government recognises the important impact of broadband speeds and reliability on economic and social participation. This is why the Government is committed to delivering gigabit coverage to at least 99% of UK premises by 2032.

Compared to broadband delivered through legacy copper networks, gigabit broadband offers faster speeds and improved reliability to future-proof connectivity, ensuring that homes and businesses throughout the UK continue to benefit for decades to come.

We monitor regional differences in broadband coverage through Ofcom’s reporting and as of January 2026, 88% of premises in Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency have access to a gigabit-capable connection, in line with the UK-wide average.

Digital connectivity in the area will continue to improve. Through Project Gigabit, the Government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, approximately 570 premises in Filton and Bradley Stoke are included within scope of a cross-regional Project Gigabit contract, being delivered by Openreach.

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