MP Richard Foord has called for urgent work to improve broadband accessibility across the Culm Valley’s rural communities and tackle so-called ‘not-spots’ where connectivity is particularly poor. 

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Foord highlighted the case of two communities in East Devon which had been left lagging behind on broadband with residents struggling for even a basic internet connection.

Mr Foord said the Westcountry as a whole was already worse for connectivity than the UK average and some Devon communities ranked in the worst 10 per cent of the whole country for broadband. 

He called on the Government to enable broadband speeds which brought people into the 2020s.

Mr Foord said: “It is a scandal that rural towns and villages like ours are being left struggling to get even basic broadband access, all while urban areas surge ahead.

“In recent years we have seen so many banks close branches on our high streets, forcing people to rely upon online banking to manage their finances.

“There has also been a rise in online bookings for travel, particularly when it comes to our railways. 

“But all of this is not possible if you cannot get a reliable connection.

“For far too long, people in our part of the world have been neglected by this Government, which seems out-of-touch with some of the challenges we face on a daily basis.

“Devon is tired of being left at the back of the queue.

“That is why we need to see real action to fix this situation and to help our communities get online, ensuring that the South West catches up with the rest of the country.”