High speed broadband connection nearing 100 per cent

The government has claimed that investment in a continuing programme to roll out broadband services has benefited every corner of the country – with new figures showing the huge increase in connectivity.

The figures, published in response to a recent parliamentary question, provide a local authority comparison of the current percentage of premises connected to fibre broadband – compared to the progress made by 2015 if the roll-out had been left to free market.

Lanark and Hamilton East SNP MSP Angela Crawley said: “These new figures show that every part of Scotland has benefited from the Scottish Government’s investment in broadband.

“In South Lanarkshire, including my own constituency, more than 9 in 10 homes are switched on rather than 8 in 10 if left to the free market.

“More than 95 per cent of Scotland’s homes and businesses are now able to connect to fibre broadband – with a target to reach 100 per cent by 2021.

“And our plans for a 30Mbps standard are much more ambitious the UK government’s 10Mbps – the Tories appear content to leave England in the slow lane.”