For many of us, the days of waiting for a dial-up modem to connect, hearing that unmistakable static buzz, are long gone.

But in some parts of our community, the frustration with slow internet is all too present – a reminder that high-speed access is essential but not universal.

The Conservative Party led the charge to change. Since 2010, they have modernised the nation’s internet infrastructure, rolling out fibre optic and, more recently, ultra-fast ‘Gigabit’ broadband.

The results speak for themselves: over 80 per cent of UK premises can now access lightning-fast speeds. This isn’t just an achievement; it’s a testament to a decade of Conservative leadership tackling 21st century challenges.

This constituency is no stranger to broadband black spots. While commercial providers have reached many areas, there are still families, small businesses, and industrial estates struggling with substandard connections. ‘Project Gigabit’ – launched by the Conservatives – was designed to address this issue, targeting hard-to-reach places so more rural areas like ours receive the same standard as inner-city areas.

But there are still those that need connecting, including some of our own villages.

Those of you that follow me on social media and read my weekly newsletter will have seen that before Labour’s Budget the then-Shadow Science Secretary and I called on the Government to commit to continuing the Conservatives’ hard work.

I was pleased to see that pressure from the Opposition has made such difference and Labour intend to move forward with full nationwide rollout by 2030.

I’ve said in the past about the challenges we will face in this constituency amid Labour’s national agenda which largely overlooks more rural areas like ours, but I will continue to stand up for residents and businesses so that we have the strong voice needed to tackle the decisions made by this Government.

After visiting Print + Design IT with Liphook County Cllr Curnow-Ford, I contacted their industrial estate’s supplier due to their difficulty accessing high-speed broadband; I am pleased that commercial-standard broadband will now be connected as early as February.

I also met with small business Grayshott Gigabit, a local broadband provider passionate about their work and online safety, with whom I look forward to working going forward.

This is not just about fast downloads or streaming convenience; it’s about giving our businesses, schools, and equipping families with the necessary tools to thrive.

As with any rollout of infrastructure, there are possible technical challenges that can inevitably cause delays and inconvenience for service users; but I intend to hold the Government to the same standard as the Conservatives during their rollout, to ensure the delivery of this critical infrastructure.

I know that there will be others in our area that are struggling with access, so I encourage you to please contact me, so I may be able to support you.