My department works with a number of network operators to deliver improved broadband to rural areas. This includes Openreach and their work in West Dorset.<\/p>
We are also working closely with Openreach and other operators to prepare our £5 billion \u201cOutside In\u201d programme, as announced in the Spring Budget.<\/p>
This programme will focus on delivering gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest to reach premises in the UK, which are mainly in rural areas.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4361", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Warman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Boston and Skegness"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matt Warman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-06-04T14:51:55.517Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-06-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Broadband: Rural Areas"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What steps he is taking to ensure that BT Openreach delivers improved broadband to rural areas.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4751", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Loder"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Dorset"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Loder"} ], "uin" : "902925"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1192783", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Church Commissioners"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1192783/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The House of Bishops revised their guidance on access to churches on the 5th May 2020. Government guidance states that \u2018a minister of religion or worship leader may leave their home to travel to their place of worship\u2019. In most cases, they will do so in order to pray or to stream a service of worship. If clergy wish to mark VE Day by ringing a church bell or flying a flag from their church buildings, that is within government guidance. This advice does not extend to bell-ringers, sextons or other church officers or volunteers.<\/p> The parish church would usually be central to local commemorations of events such as Victory in Europe Day, but for this anniversary they will be honouring the sacrifice of all those who were involved in World War Two in a new way. Archbishops, Bishops and clergy will be participating in local and national virtual services to mark VE Day. The Church of England has released national resources for worship and prayer which can be used by local communities: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/worship-resources-ve-day-2020<\/a><\/p>
The new guidance can be read here: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/house-bishops-backs-phased-approach-revising-access-church-buildings<\/a><\/p>