Matt Hancock promoted to Secretary of State for Digital in May’s reshuffle
Matt Hancock has been promoted to the top job at the the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in Theresa May’s January cabinet reshuffle.
It’s the 39-year-old’s highest position yet in government and gives him the portfolio to look after broadband, mobile, cybersecurity, Ofcom, better rural internet connections and the move towards gigabit and 5G.
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His predecessor as Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, was tapped for Northern Ireland Secretary, prompting the promotion from the Prime Minister.
Hancock took Twitter to speak of his delight at the move.
Thrilled to become DCMS Secretary. Such an exciting agenda, so much to do, and great people. Can’t wait to get stuck in #DigitalCultureMediaSport https://t.co/HlspHnJjHG
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 8, 2018
Very humbled by all the kind messages tonight. A massive thank you to you all for your warm words of support https://t.co/aP6tfGrNS8
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 8, 2018
Who is Matt Hancock?
The tech-savvy MP for West Suffolk was involved in pressuring Karen Bradley to forge ahead with the USO of 10Mbps broadband for all without BT.
This is the new legal right that all households in the UK will be able to demand broadband download speeds of at least 10Mbps by 2020.
His speeches often bring in or reference other industries and he’s not averse to media coverage. In November he told at a conference how British astronaut Tim Peake had complained to him about the rubbish broadband on the International Space Station.
Hancock appeared speaking in support of fellow Conservative Matt Warman over the broadband speed ‘fraud’ advertising debate and has spoken at length on the need to bring develop Britain’s full-fibre products and bring fibre broadband advertising into line with, well, the truth.
MAIN IMAGE: DCMS
