Rachel Gilmour MP receives update on constituency broadband from Government Minister

Data from ThinkBroadband shows that the Tiverton and Minehead constituency is 6% lower than the national average in terms of the proportion of premises with access to superfast broadband (better or equal to 30Mbps). 49% of premises in the Tiverton and Minehead constituency have gigabit-capable broadband (better or equal to 1,000 Mbps), which is considerably lower than the national average of 87% of premises.

Rachel Gilmour MP has been working in Parliament since her election last year to secure a better deal for her constituents, as data shows comparatively poor broadband speeds to much of the UK. 

The Government’s Project Gigabit Program aims to provide fast broadband speeds to hard-to-reach locations across the UK, including multiple OpenReach contracts set to provide gigabit-capable broadband to areas of the South West. These contracts have been confirmed to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2030. 

According to the Government, approximately 5,400 premises in Tiverton and Minehead constituency are currently set to benefit from these contracts, including named areas such as Stogursey, Westleigh, Oakford, Burlescombe, Milverton, Lydeard St Lawrence, Bishops Lydeard, Nynehead, and Holford.

It was also confirmed that for the premises which are unable to be connected through this OpenReach contract, a Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme of up to £4,500 per home or business may present another way to improve broadband connections. 

Following meeting with the Minister, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, said:

“I know that today’s update from the Minister will be welcomed by communities all over the Tiverton and Minehead constituency. So many people have been let down by previous contract failures and scale backs, and so I am glad to hear that our rural areas are set to receive improved broadband connection speeds.

Fast broadband is crucial to modern life, and I will continue to work in Parliament on behalf of my constituents to ensure that communities can access fast fibre broadband as soon as possible.”