{"id":58314,"date":"2015-06-24T10:47:06","date_gmt":"2015-06-24T10:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=b9d154930b2114340573ce7178fa3566"},"modified":"2015-06-24T10:47:06","modified_gmt":"2015-06-24T10:47:06","slug":"press-release-broadband-boost-for-1126-welsh-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=58314","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Broadband boost for 1,126 Welsh businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

More than 1,000 small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea have now benefitted from the UK Government\u2019s Broadband Connection voucher scheme, latest figures published today show. <\/p>\n

The grant, in the form of a voucher, allows businesses to apply for funding of up to \u00a33,000 each to cover the costs of installing faster and better broadband. The scheme is part of the government\u2019s broadband transformation across the nation, helping cities to create and attract new jobs and investment, and making the UK the best place in the world to do business.<\/p>\n

So far, 1,126 businesses in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea have received grants. UK wide, more than 25,000 businesses in the 50 cities participating in the scheme have benefitted, with thousands more currently going through the application process. <\/p>\n

Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said:<\/h3>\n
\n

These figures mark another milestone in our aims to improve broadband connectivity in Wales. Having access to faster and more reliable broadband connections is instrumental in driving growth and boosting the local economy.<\/p>\n

The broadband voucher scheme has been hugely successful in enabling businesses in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea to get on with what they do best \u2013 enterprising, innovating and \u2013 most importantly \u2013 creating jobs which give this country the long-term economic security we need.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said:<\/h3>\n
\n

The Government\u2019s broadband connection voucher scheme is proving tremendously popular and we are now issuing around 1000 vouchers every week. Businesses need to be properly equipped for all the challenges of the digital world in which we live and I urge all eligible businesses to apply as soon as possible to make sure they don\u2019t miss out on the fantastic offer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Government has made \u00a340m available in 15\/16 for the scheme, and the vouchers are being issued on a \u201cfirst come, first served\u201d basis. Funds have not been ring fenced for individual cities, and Government is encouraging all eligible businesses to apply before the available funds are exhausted.<\/p>\n

The scheme has helped a huge variety of businesses to date, including cafes, graphic designers, architects, estate agents, mechanics, events coordinators and caterers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Region<\/th>\nNo. of vouchers issued<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Scotland<\/td>\n1043<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wales<\/td>\n1126<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Northern Ireland<\/td>\n1356<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North West<\/td>\n4188<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North East<\/td>\n653<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yorks and Humber<\/td>\n3781<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Midlands<\/td>\n2660<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
London<\/td>\n8857<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
East of England<\/td>\n601<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South East<\/td>\n1047<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South West<\/td>\n845<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Benefits small businesses are seeing as a result of a faster connection include:<\/p>\n