Christina Portrait

 

SNP ACTION CONNECTING SCOTLAND WITH SUPERFAST SPEED

South Lanarkshire is benefiting from increased roll-out of superfast broadband because of decisive Scottish Government action.

Superfast broadband coverage in the local authority prior to the SNP Scottish Government’s intervention through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme was at 81.5%. Following Scottish Government action, the percentage of premises with access to fibre broadband in South Lanarkshire is 95% – and puts Scotland well on course to meeting the 100% coverage target by 2021.

The Ofcom figures also show that the most remote areas in Scotland have benefitted the most – and many urban areas are now approaching 100% coverage. The 95% coverage target across the country is on track to be met by the end of this year.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie said:

“Without this Scottish Government investment, South Lanarkshire would still be lagging behind when it comes to superfast broadband.

“The stats speak for themselves. It is the SNP Scottish Government that has led the way in securing superfast broadband for more people and businesses across Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

“Before the Scottish Government stepped in to fix the UK government’s mess, only 81.5% of premises had access to superfast broadband – that figure is now at 95% after the SNP took action.

“This is giving more people access to the superfast broadband they need, and allowing local businesses to flourish thanks to better connectivity.

“There is of course more to be done, and this is why the Scottish Government has such ambitious targets in place to continue this rapid improvement.

“This includes connectivity throughout my constituency where, on behalf of my constituents, I was glad to receive personal assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP, that the Scottish Government will look into the individual cases of those living in Stonehouse.”

“And with the 100% superfast broadband coverage target on course to be met by 2021, it is clear that only one party is taking the action needed to boost connectivity in South Lanarkshire and across Scotland.”