Responding to the Government’s announcement that all new homes will come with gigabit-speed broadband, the LGA’s digital spokesman, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, said:
“We are pleased that the Government has listened to our calls to ensure all new homes will have the digital infrastructure they need for the 21st century.
“Digital connectivity is central to thriving communities – with millions of people relying on broadband coverage every day, including businesses and our most vulnerable.
“Councils are best-placed to understand the digital needs of their areas and ensure that local policy, such as planning and highways regulation, is streamlined to help improve connectivity. Councils want to work with Ofcom to ensure mobile coverage is accurate, up-to-date and reflects consumer experience so that communities and businesses across the country are able to access high quality connectivity as part of their daily routine.
“It is now vital that developers, broadband providers and the Government now work with councils to deliver their ambitious programmes.
“The Government should also reform Right to Buy and allow councils to keep receipts in full and set discounts locally, which will enable them resume their historical role and major housebuilders. We look forward to working with the Government on the detail.”
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