Oral QuestionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the local government finance settlement for local authorities to deliver their statutory duties for the protection of children.

Tabled: 13 February 2020Answered: 24 February 2020

Asked by

Graham Stringer

LabourBlackley and Middleton South

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris)

It is essential to keep pace with growing demand for internet bandwidth and mobile data from local businesses, residents and those who visit our communities. That is why the Government’s ambition is to reach national gigabit and national 5G coverage as soon as possible, by committing to support investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity, so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading that work and will provide an update in due course.