AQW 52692/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 11/01/2016
Answered On Date: 19/01/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (i) on what date was the original deadline for applications to the extended Super-connected Cities broadband voucher scheme; (ii) whether this deadline remained unchanged for the duration of the application period; and (iii) how any changes to the deadline were communicated to businesses and third sector groups.

Answer:

The Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme was managed and funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in conjunction with local councils. The extended scheme was run on a strict first come, first served basis and was supported by a UK-wide Challenge Fund of £40 million. The scheme was to be completed by 31 March 2016 or whenever the Challenge Fund had been fully allocated, whichever occurred earlier. This requirement did not change over the duration of the scheme.

The scheme was closed on 12 October 2015 because all of the funding had been committed.