With Parliament in recess, it has been great to get out and about in Fylde over the Easter weekend, and what a wonderful few days it has been. Spring has truly sprung, and it has been great to see so many out and enjoying the good weather.
Feedback from local businesses has been really positive, with many of those I have spoken with commenting on how busy they have been, marking the start of what I hope will be another fantastic summer.
Looking ahead to Parliament’s return next week, I am looking to make progress on ending the digital divide that I have repeatedly spoken about in Parliament and with Ministers. Levelling up doesn’t just mean addressing regional disparities, but local ones too.
While most of those living in towns and cities have access to fast and reliable mobile and internet connections, this is still not the case in rural communities, including several areas in Fylde. People need confidence that they can work from home, enjoy streaming online entertainment and their children can do their homework without continued interruption or issue.
It is hugely welcome that the Government has unveiled a new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, backed up by a £150 million package of investment into 5G mobile connectivity, part of a goal to ensure all homes have access to 5G by 2030. Combined with the expansion of the superfast broadband network, these efforts will be worth billions of pounds to our economy.
Next week I will be meeting with Building Digital UK, who are supporting the rollout of superfast broadband across the country, especially in those rural areas not deemed commercially viable by private firms, to seek an update on the progress of the Project Gigabit scheme in Fylde.
Having grown up at the height of the Troubles, the significance of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement should not be underestimated. I am proud to serve as a Vice-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and it was an honour to participate in the Assembly’s recent meeting at Stormont as we approached the anniversary. Visiting Belfast gave me the chance to appreciate the transformational impact that the agreement has had on Northern Ireland.
Undoubtedly, challenges remain. As the Prime Minister has said, the sooner we see the resumption of the power sharing arrangement, the more likely it is that the hard-won peace will be maintained. It was therefore fitting that the Prime Minister and Taoiseach were joined by President Biden to commemorate the occasion, demonstrating our continuing shared commitment to Northern Ireland and its people, giving real hope for the future.