Mail Weekly Column: 12 June 2023

On Wednesday I was appointed to be the Government’s first Rural Connectivity Champion. I’m honoured and delighted to take the position up. This role was created as part of the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, and reports jointly to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and the DEFRA Secretary of State too.

The issues that it tackles are ones close to my heart, and very much ones that constituents have raised with me over the last three and a half years – helping improve connectivity in rural areas to benefit communities, businesses and farmers. I can’t wait to get stuck in.

The Government has pledged £7 million to test out new ways of bringing together satellite, wireless and fixed line internet to help rural communities like ours to access lightning-fast connectivity for the first time.

Part of my brief will be to bring together rural businesses, including those in sectors like agriculture, and the telecoms industry to develop a clear understanding of how adopting new technology can make a real difference to their productivity, and what connectivity is required to drive this effectively across the UK.

Poor digital connectivity in rural communities is holding us back, as residents of villages like Leece and Gleaston, and farmers and businesses in Barrow and Furness know all too well.

If we hope to unlock growth, and to ensure that our rural communities across the UK are sustainable, then this co-operative venture across Government, local authorities and the private sector will be essential to drive innovation and roll-out to drive economic prosperity.

I’ll begin this work next week, starting by listening to those affected, and also to those who could be a part of the solution. I already have plenty of ideas, but I also have much to learn. This is a crucial agenda, and I look forward to leading this work on behalf of the Government. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

On Thursday and Friday, I got on the train from Westminster to attend the Northern Research Group Conference in Doncaster. The NRG groups together a good number of northern MPs to fight as one for our communities, and it was great to see senior members of the Government listening to us and joining the conference over the two days – the most high profile being the Chancellor, and then the PM, who jetted from DC to Doncaster to deliver his keynote speech, emphasising that a strong North is a strong Britain, and making reference to the importance of Barrow to the world.

As well as sitting on the Committee of the NRG, I chaired the Defence Panel, leading a good natured debate alongside the Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat. It was great to join Ministers, fellow MPs, Northern businesses, charities, and other important stakeholders to discuss the issues that really matter to the North.

Finally back in Furness, arriving very late into Ulverston Station on Friday night, it was great to get out into the sunshine on Saturday and pop along to Dalton Day. It was swelteringly hot, and the ice cream van was doing good trade. Huge thanks to everyone who put in the work to arrange it and make it such a success.