31 May 2011

Waveney MP Peter Aldous today commented on the decision by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), the Government body responsible for allocating funding for broadband, not to include Suffolk in its latest round of funding.

Suffolk’s bid prepared by Choose Suffolk was one of a number of bids submitted to the competition with the winners announced on 27th May. Mr Aldous organised the Suffolk Broadband Conference in April 2011 to ensure communities from around Suffolk were engaged in the process.

Mr Aldous has received a letter from Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt stating that he intends to provide certainty over the funds available to each local authority from the £530 million allocated by July with no further competitions or pilots. The allocations for each local authority will be made available once BDUK has agreement with the local authorities on other sources of funding and their plans for delivery. Mr Hunt made clear that local authorities should continue working with BDUK in the interim on their plans.

Mr Aldous said:

“Clearly it is disappointing Choose Suffolk’s bid was not successful in the current round of funding. However it is now confirmed that Government funding for Suffolk should be in place by July and it is essential that the bid team work together with Suffolk County Council and BDUK to do whatever is necessary to improve the bid and secure adequate funds are secured to ensure comprehensive broadband to the whole County. Myself and the other Suffolk MPs will do all we can to assist them.”