§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of schools have access to broadband internet access in(a) Lancashire, (b) the northwest of England and (c) England. [55112]
§ John HealeyBroadband internet access (2mbs or better) is provided through regional broadband consortia (RBCs). The target for August 2002 is for 20 per cent. of all schools (including 100 per cent. of secondaries) to have broadband connections. From the latest consortia returns (28 February 2002)
13 per cent. of schools in Lancashire LEA already have broadband connections and this is expected to rise to 26 per cent. by August 2002;23 per cent. of schools within the, north-west of England (covered by two RBCs) already have a broadband connection and this is expected to rise to 41 per cent. by August 2002:Nationally, approximately 14 per cent. of schools across England already have a broadband connection and this is expected to rise to 32 per cent. by August 2002, exceeding the current target.