To ask the Minister for the Economy to confirm if Project Stratum (i) is proceeding, (ii) has sufficient funding; and to detail (i) the timescale for rollout; and (ii) the date households and businesses in each constituency will be able to access improved broadband speeds.

Project Stratum is proceeding and is currently at mid-procurement stage. Project Stratum aims to utilise the £165m funding to improve internet connectivity for premises unable to access speeds of 30 Mbps or greater. I am aware of some commentary on the withdrawal of the Confidence and Supply funding following the New Decade New Approach Agreement. I can confirm that discussions are ongoing on the financial package, including the restoration of the remaining Confidence and Supply funding, and that broadband remains a key priority for the Executive.

My Department will seek to maximise the industry contribution, over and above the current £165m public investment, to ensure that as many premises as possible benefit from the project. However, it is anticipated that not all premises within the intervention area will benefit and officials continue to engage with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to explore how such premises will be addressed, as expeditiously as possible, on a national scale and in line with UK Government policy.

Contract award is expected in mid-2020. My Department’s early engagement with industry indicates that a 6-9 month period is required for network design and delivery preparation. It is not, therefore, anticipated that deployment of infrastructure will commence until January 2021 at the earliest and will be completed by 31 March 2024.

The precise number and location of premises that will benefit from Project Stratum, and the likely availability of new services, will not be known until after contract award.