LIGHTNING-fast broadband will power up rural communities across the country.

Hexham's Labour MP welcomed a 'landmark agreement' to deliver lightning-fast broadband to 312,000 homes and businesses across the country.

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Joe Morris MP for Hexham said: "I am pleased that this Labour government has committed to powering up our rural communities by delivering lightning-fast broadband to 312,000 homes and businesses across Great Britain. 

"During the election campaign, I spoke with people across the constituency, in the North Tyne, in Ponteland, Darras Hall and Hedley on the Hill among others, about the frustrations and opportunities missed from not having high-speed internet connections.

"Enhanced connectivity will boost productivity and drive economic growth in our rural communities by enabling remote working and attracting new businesses, and will provide new learning opportunities for our young people, support remote healthcare for patients and serve as a life-line for our elderly in helping them stay connected with loved ones.

"The reality for too long has been that rural connectivity hasn’t kept pace with the needs of our communities. After a decade of missed opportunities and slow roll-out, I am pleased to see that the government has committed to a renewed push to plug connectivity black holes across the country.

"This announcement is a demonstration of the Labour government’s commitment to rural Britain. We are backing rural businesses and communities, and the important role that they will play in the government’s shared mission of national renewal.

"I look forward to seeing the ways in which this landmark agreement with Openreach will make a tangible difference in the lives of those in our rural communities."