BROADBAND was one of the hot topics as Basingstoke MP and Culture Secretary Maria Miller gave a parliamentary update to Hampshire Chamber of Commerce members.

The Culture Secretary’s briefing was held at The Ark Conference Centre, and was attended by around 30 local business people.

Mrs Miller gave an overview of the current economic and business environment, both at the national and local level.

She highlighted the Government’s commitment to the High Speed 2 Rail network, as well as outlining the Government’s progress on delivering superfast broadband and maximising the role of women in the workplace – the latter two issues fall within her Cabinet portfolio.

Mrs Miller said: “Basingstoke is a great place to do business and is one of the top ten centres of employment in the south east.

“The last few years have been difficult for businesses, but it is great to hear from local companies that they are |really starting to feel more confident.

“The roll-out of superfast broadband is the most important new infrastructure in a generation, which is why more than £1.6 billion of public money is being invested to achieve a transformation in the country’s broadband |network.

“This will reinforce the UK’s position as a leading digital economy and will provide a major boost to the local economy and jobs.”

Pleased with how the event went, Katie Crow, north Hampshire events manager at Hampshire Chamber, said: “We had an interesting and lively discussion, with Mrs Miller covering a range of issues and where broadband was a hot topic.”