Midsomer Norton and Radstock MP Anna Sabine will meet the minister for technology Chris Bryant to discuss poor broadband and mobile phone signals in rural areas later this month.

The meeting follows last year’s debate on financial inclusion where Anna spoke on many issues, including the lack of useable broadband and the problems this can cause individuals and small businesses in rural areas.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset has previously spoken about the need for adequate connectivity to allow people in rural areas to access the increasingly digital world, stating that “financial and digital inclusion are critically linked”.

In the run up to this meeting, Anna has reached out to residents in a number of villages across her constituency to ask for their input and experiences with broadband and connectivity. She has written a letter to constituents to ask about their experiences.

This is in light of the Government’s recent contract with Openreach to deliver gigabit-capable broadband across Mid Devon, North Somerset and South Devon as part of Project Gigabit. The MP wants to ensure they take steps towards ensuring the entirety of the South West has the coverage and connectivity required.

Anna has previously spoken on the issues specifically facing small businesses and farmers in the area who are often unable to get broadband beyond the end of their farm track.

She said: “In today’s world, decent broadband and mobile phone signal should be available to everyone.

“Money management, connecting to family and friends, and the ability to work are all crucially interlinked with digital connectivity and I want to ensure that residents in the villages of Somerset are heard by the Minister and importantly, listened to. It’s simply not acceptable that rural areas are left behind.”

Anna Sabine has previously written to the minister with about rural broadband, but says she awaits a response.