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A Labour MP has claimed she has experienced better internet connection in wartorn Ukraine than she does in central London.

Cat Eccles told an adjournment debate that the UK is languishing behind its European neighbours when it comes to ultra-fast broadband.

Technology minister Sir Chris Bryant said the Government aspires to European levels of broadband, adding that some “cowboy” broadband companies should be told they’re “drinking in the last chance saloon”.

When I was recently in Ukraine I experienced far better internet connectivity than I do in central London and Stourbridge town centre

Cat Eccles

On Thursday, the MP for Stourbridge said: “The legislation was passed in 2013, yet here we are in 2024 still waiting for the full rollout of this ultra-fast broadband.

“And while I appreciate what (Laurence Turner) has said, (that) we do have adequate fast speeds currently, it could be much better.

“In fact, when I was recently in Ukraine I experienced far better internet connectivity than I do in central London and Stourbridge town centre.

“So our European neighbours are enjoying much faster broadband while we languish behind, and Stourbridge residents have been left at the mercy of these third party companies.”

Ms Eccles’ comments came during a debate on planning permission and telegraph poles led by fellow Labour MP Laurence Turner, who raised concerns about the amount and locations of telegraph poles in his constituency of Birmingham Northfield.

He told the Commons: “This is not about being against telegraph poles, nor is it about being against the rollout of fast broadband, in fact new infrastructure is vital.”

“But is it surely wrong that when poles are sited inappropriately, that recourse (for) residents is advisory only and in many cases it is lacking completely in practice,” he added.

Mr Turner went on to say: “As long as the (cabinet and pole siting code of practice) remains voluntary, it will always be circumvented in some cases.”

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Sir Chris said: “The vast majority of companies who are operating in this sphere are doing so entirely responsibly, they are doing a great favour for the nation in rolling out broadband at the kind of speed that everybody wants.

“I note the point that was made by (Ms Eccles) about other countries in Europe, of course we want to aspire to that as well, for everybody across the whole of the UK.

“The vast majority of companies are doing that, a few are frankly behaving like cowboys and I think sometimes we need as Government and as Parliament to say to cowboys that they’re drinking in the last chance saloon.”

He added: “The industry has committed to revising that code of practice, I think it will be much tougher, and that guidance should be published in the new year.

“But I’m absolutely clear about this, if this does not work, if voluntary adherence does not work, we reserve the right to change the law.”

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