Nigel Evans today met with Gavin Patterson (Chief Executive Officer of British Telecom), at an event in Westminster to discuss apprenticeships and the extension of superfast broadband in the Ribble Valley.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Evans said:
“I had a very productive conversation with the new CEO of BT and told him of the importance of fibre optic broadband to the Ribble Valley which, given the constituency’s rural nature, will mean that families and businesses will benefit hugely from this infrastructure upgrade. It is an issue that I have raised on a number of occasions with Ministers and BT alike and that I have had correspondence from many constituents about.
“I welcomed the opportunity to raise the importance of superfast broadband to areas like ours. It would provide a huge boost for SMEs in the Ribble Valley and ensure that rural communities are not left behind.
“Furthermore I talked to Mr Patterson about the significance of apprenticeships to young people. I am delighted that BT have taken on 400 apprentices across the UK to cover the roll out of superfast broadband to areas such as the Ribble Valley and hope that the company continues to invest in young people and the infrastructure of the UK.”