THE MP for Clwyd South believes the extension to a broadband scheme in Wales will be beneficial for those living in areas like the Ceiriog Valley.

Simon Baynes MP has welcomed the news that residents and businesses will have access to more funding for better broadband, as the Welsh Government “tops up” the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.

It was announced that more than 50,000 rural Welsh homes and businesses could be eligible to have their broadband upgraded, thanks to a new collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments.

Mr Baynes believes the scheme will further strengthen the rural economy in the region.

He said: “This announcement is good news for Wales and Clwyd South.

“Better broadband strengthens our rural economy and gives a big boost to those people working and running a business from home at the moment due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The extension of this scheme will ensure Clwyd South residents, particularly in areas like the Ceiriog Valley, have access to reliable broadband speeds and represents a big step forwards in our plans to build a broadband network that is fit for the future in the area.”

The scheme helps people with funding to cover the upfront costs of installing new gigabit-capable internet connections.

Vouchers worth up to £7,000 for small and medium enterprises and £3,000 for rural residential premises subsidise the cost of building out next-generation broadband infrastructure – such as fibre-optic cables – to rural villages and towns, so they do not miss out on much faster speeds.

They also incentivise other broadband companies to build in these areas.

The constituency of Clwyd South covers part of Denbighshire and part of Wrexham.

A review found that 2,700 in Wrexham do not currently have access to superfast broadband.