It was great to host Ed Vaizey MP today in Corby and to meet with representatives of local businesses affected by broadband difficulties on the town’s industrial estates – an issue which was raised as part of my ‘Listening to Corby & East Northamptonshire Campaign’.
In an age where more and more work is being carried out online, it is crucial that our businesses are able to access superfast broadband. I am therefore very appreciative of the Minister offering to set up a meeting for representatives of these small businesses with senior executives at BT in the near future – this is a very positive outcome and will hopefully help to move things forward.
After the meeting, I also raised with the Minister some of the difficulties that our rural communities are experiencing when trying to access superfast broadband; again, an issue raised as part of my ‘Listening Campaign’.
I was also pleased to accompany the Minister on his visit to Corby Library, as Northamptonshire County Council is leading the way nationally when it comes to library services. In particular, it was very interesting to hear of the inter-generational work that is going on and that over 700 small businesses have started as a result of advice given at libraries across the county. The staff in our libraries do a fantastic job and it was terrific for Ed and myself to see, firsthand, the excellent work that is going on day in, day out. It is fair to say that our libraries are a real Northamptonshire success story!