Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said improving digital connectivity across rural communities in the South West is a "vital part" of the Government's levelling-up plans.
The minister made the comments on a visit to Devon broadband provider Jurassic Fibre, which has announced a major roll-out of its ultrafast fibre network across the region.
The Honiton-based company said under the plans, its network would cover 500,000 homes and businesses across 30 towns and villages in the region by 2026.
Mr Sunak said: "Through better access to ultrafast broadband, people and businesses in the region can benefit from the same opportunities afforded to regions like London and the South East. Jurassic Fibre has been a stalwart champion in bringing ever greater broadband access to areas like Devon.
“It has been great to see their business in action and to learn more about the positive impact they are having on the regional economy, not only through job creation in their own company, but enabling the growth of local businesses and boosting employment."
During the Chancellor’s visit, Michael Maltby, chief executive of Jurassic Fibre, outlined the company’s achievements during its first four years of operation. He told the Chancellor about providing access to ultrafast fibre broadband for 100,000 underserved households and businesses across 21 towns in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall, and how the company had created 350 jobs in the region.
"Jurassic Fibre has achieved some phenomenal milestones in our short history," said Mr Maltby. "Our investment in the region has made gigabit speeds a reality for many rural communities. But we’re not stopping here. There is a still a long way to go in bringing the South West’s digital infrastructure up to the levels required in the 21st century."
Mr Sunak had travelled to the region to lend his support to Tiverton and Honiton Conservative candidate Helen Hurford, in advance of the local by-election on June 23.
The Chancellor said he was keen to visit a high-growth business transforming economic prosperity in the town and across the South West region, and to meet local employees who live and work in the constituency.
Last month, Jurassic Fibre said cost of living crisis had highlighted a “huge regional divide” and pledged to halve the price of its ultrafast broadband packages to help communities facing “significant hikes” in utility bills.
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