Michael Gove, the environment secretary, said improving connectivity was a “public good”, and farmers’ representatives said the issue was a major concern

Michael Gove has promised to spend billions of pounds improving rural broadband and 4G mobile phone coverage after Brexit.

The environment secretary said it was “ridiculous that you can get better mobile phone coverage in Kenya than in parts of Kent”. He has repeatedly told farmers that the £3 billion they receive in annual EU subsidies would be handed out to those who improve the environment, build natural flood defences and repair the soil.

In the latest hint of how he plans to spend that money he said rural connectivity was a clear “public good” that deserved public money as much as other critical infrastructure projects. He said fast internet and 4G mobile coverage were as essential as clean drinking water and mains electricity, and