THE CLA has welcomed an increase in funding which is available to help them assist homes and businesses in rural areas of Cumbria.

The Government’s Gigabit Broadband Vouchers Scheme (GBVS) currently provides up to £3,500 funding for eligible businesses and up to £1,500 for eligible residential properties to install gigabit-capable connections.

The company will introduce vouchers for those suffering with slow internet speed.

As part of the £394.5m Borderlands Growth Deal, up to £4 million of additional Government funding will benefit the vouchers.

The £4 million made available will be used to match the level of funding available under the GBVS, so that eligible businesses can now apply for up to a maximum of £7,000 and eligible residential properties up to £3,000.

CLA North Rural Adviser Libby Bateman said: “CLA welcomes this much needed boost to eradicate the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Northumberland and Cumbria. During the Covid-19 pandemic.”