Waveney MP Peter Aldous this week welcomed the EU’s announcement authorising the use of public funds to roll out superfast broadband across rural areas of the UK.

Mr Aldous is pleased that after several months of delay, the EU has approved the UK’s £530 million investment in rural broadband infrastructure to 90% of the UK. This means that Suffolk and Waveney can now focus on delivering its new broadband infrastructure project, which will hugely benefit both communities and businesses by delivering jobs, prosperity and boosting growth.

The Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme, which plans to use at least £530m of government money to deliver super-fast (24Mbps or above) connectivity to 90 percent of the UK by 2015 and at least 2Mbps to everyone, had been waiting for the approval to use State Aid cash to fund the rollouts. Under State Aid rules, the EU must be informed, and approve of, any plans to use public money.

Commenting on this development, Peter Aldous said:
“Getting the green light from Brussels is great news for Waveney. Superfast broadband is crucial both to encouraging families to stay in the area and incentivising businesses to flourish.”