CLA shocked by broadband delay
The CLA said today (Thursday, 15 July) it was “disappointed and shocked” by the Government’s decision to extend the target for providing universal UK broadband coverage by three years.
In a speech to the broadband industry, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government would no longer be able to meet the Universal Service Commitment (USC) of two megabits per second (two Mbps) by 2012, because of insufficient funding.
It has set a new target of achieving the USC within the lifetime of this Parliament expected to end in 2015.
CLA President William Worsley said: “This setback comes at a time when rural Britain is desperately in need of effective and affordable broadband. It will seriously compromise the ability of the rural economy to succeed in the future.
“Of course we are living in straitened times. However, without universal broadband it will become far harder for rural business to compete effectively with businesses in urban areas, many of which already have access to far faster speeds than two Mbps.”
The CLA President added: “The Government needs to recognise that broadband can act as a fundamental driver in propelling the UK out of its current financial situation. This will be put in jeopardy if we have to wait an additional three years before everyone can gain adequate broadband coverage.
“In his speech, Mr Hunt mentioned the increased use of Government services online which he believed could lead to savings of at least 1 billion. Yet the one fifth of people living in rural areas who have no broadband access are unable to benefit from this.”
Mr Hunt made the surprise announcement at a conference today organised by Broadband Delivery UK.
1. The CLA Game Fair, the world’s largest countryside event, will be held at Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, on Friday, 23 July – Sunday, 25 July 2010.
2. The CLA has published a Manifesto on releasing the full potential of the rural economy. For further information please visit: http://www.cla.org.uk/Policy_Work/CLA_Manifesto/
3. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has more than 35,000 members.
4. As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support.
We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.
5. For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk