Michael Tomlinson, Prospective MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has welcomed new government money that will help thousands of families and businesses across the country, including in the most remote areas, get connected up to superfast broadband.
Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole will benefit from £0.77 million of extra investment, which will support local broadband projects and help to ensure more households and businesses can enjoy much faster internet speeds.
In total £250 million of extra money is being made available to broadband projects across the country, which is on top of the £1.2 billion already invested, as part of our programme to roll-out superfast broadband to 95 per cent of the country by 2017. Already, 10,000 homes and businesses are being connected up to superfast broadband each week and this will rise to 40,000 by the summer.
As part of the long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy and secure a better future for Britain, small business and enterprise is being backed with better infrastructure so that they can compete, expand and create more jobs. Our investment in superfast broadband is part of this long-term plan and will help to create 56,000 new jobs across the country by 2024 and provide a £1.5 billion boost to local economies.
Michael Tomlinson commented:
“For far too long families across the UK have been unable to enjoy the full benefits of the internet and businesses have been prevented from properly competing in the world because of a lack of fast, reliable internet connections.
"That is why, as part of our long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy we are investing well over £1 billion in our broadband infrastructure to deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of the UK by 2017. We are already connecting up over 10,000 homes and businesses each week and this additional £0.77 million will help to ensure even more premises can be reached in Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth.
"Every additional home connected up to superfast broadband means one more family who will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the internet, allowing them to download the latest music, watch a film or find the information they need for work. At the same time it allows our local businesses to compete effectively, helping them to invest, expand and create more jobs so that more people in every part of the UK can get on and feel more financially secure.”
Michael is pictured with Grant Shapps on a visit to Central Spares Ltd, Wimborne, suppliers of garden machinery and accessories, which relies heavily upon the internet.