A COMMITMENT to providing all areas with high speed broadband is the most important item in the Queen’s speech according to Ludlow MP Philip Dunne.

The MP welcomed measures in the Queen’s Speech which he believes will benefit the Ludlow Constituency.

“There was a lot to welcome for the Ludlow Constituency in the Queen’s Speech, which outlined the Government’s plan to use an improving economy to deliver greater security at every stage of people’s lives,” said Philip Dunne.

“Residents in Shropshire will particularly welcome The Digital Economy Bill, which includes the Government’s commitment to expand the availability of high speed broadband, and reduce the cost of building mobile phone masts, which should have a real impact here.

“Sharing of broadband coverage data, and automatic compensation when broadband goes down, should also improve services for rural users.

“Greater protection for pensions will also be welcome in the Ludlow Constituency, with reforms to pensions and a new single pension advice service to provide help and information.”

Philip Dunne said that new measures are intended to improve the funding of schools in rural areas like Ludlow and south Shropshire.

“I have been calling for a fairer funding system for schools for a long time, so I am pleased it will be brought forward by the Government.

“The new school funding formula will specifically introduce a sparsity element, which will finally redress the discrepancy in the current system which disadvantages rural schools, like those in South Shropshire.”

Philip Dunne, who is Minister for Defence Procurement, was pleased about a commitment to meet the NATO spending target of 2% of GDP on defence and to maintain a continuous at sea deterrent.