A Labour MP has raised eyebrows by claiming that her internet connection in war-torn Ukraine is superior to what she experiences in central London. Cat Eccles made this bold statement during an adjournment debate where she highlighted how the UK is falling behind its European counterparts in terms of ultra-fast broadband.
During the debate, Eccles expressed her frustration at the slow progress of the broadband rollout in the UK, despite legislation being passed in 2013. She emphasised that while there are currently fast internet speeds available, there is still room for significant improvement. Eccles shared her personal experience of better connectivity in Ukraine compared to both London and Stourbridge town centre.
The Technology minister, Sir Chris Bryant, acknowledged the government’s goal to achieve European standards of broadband. He also criticised certain broadband companies, labelling them as “cowboys” who need to be reined in. Bryant highlighted the importance of holding these companies accountable and ensuring the delivery of high-speed broadband for all UK residents.
The discussion on broadband connectivity was part of a broader debate on planning permission and telegraph poles led by Labour MP Laurence Turner. Turner expressed concerns about the placement and quantity of telegraph poles in his Birmingham Northfield constituency, stressing the necessity of new infrastructure for fast broadband.
Despite supporting the rollout of broadband infrastructure, Turner raised issues of inappropriate pole placements and the lack of effective recourse for residents in such cases. He called for stricter regulations to prevent circumvention of existing guidelines and to safeguard the interests of local communities.
In response to the MPs’ concerns, Sir Chris highlighted the responsible efforts of the majority of broadband companies in expanding connectivity across the UK. Acknowledging the need to match European standards, he vowed to toughen regulations and hold rogue operators accountable. Bryant affirmed the government’s commitment to revising industry codes and, if necessary, changing laws to ensure the delivery of efficient broadband services nationwide.