East Midlands MEP calls for British Broadband Boost

East Midlands Conservative MEP, Emma McClarkin, has written to Culture Secretary Maria Miller, sending what is effectively an alarm call to Whitehall over access to broadband technology.

The letter, written jointly with 19 other Conservative MEPs, says that ensuring superfast connectivity quickly covers the whole of the UK is the best-value way of investing in the power of small and medium-sized businesses to grow the economy.

It sets out the need for an urgent and comprehensive revolution in the pace, scale and scope of digital-infrastructure investment. The MEPs say this is the only way to save the UK from being left hopelessly behind in the global roll-out of broadband technology.

They say: “We are concerned about the strategy for the roll-out of the digital agenda, both for fixed and broadband connectivity.

“We note that there has been substantial progress in some geographic areas, but there are still significant parts of the UK when connectivity (both in terms of speed and access) is running behind that of our competitors.

“We believe that broadband, both fixed and increasingly mobile, is key to delivering economic recovery and growth.”

They have also sent the minister a detailed analysis of the problem in a document entitled “High-speed Broadband for all of Britain: The Infrastructure Priority for Jobs and Growth” (see attached copy below). It sets out a four-point strategy for success.

The MEPs’ letter tells the minister: “This is a call for urgent action. We believe there is a pressing need for a national strategy on these issues.”

Miss McClarkin said:

“I hope this will be seen as a polite but firm request to our own party’s minister to take an urgent grip of a potentially damaging issue. We believe the appointment of a new minister can be the opportunity for a complete reappraisal of our approach.

“The expertise behind our report is impeccable. It shows that the UK response so far has been too cumbersome, too slow and too partial.

“Ofcom has been asleep at the wheel over 4G and access to superfast broadband. Unfortunately nobody in Whitehall has woken them up.

“Statistics show that 85 per cent of current communication is by text and voice. Within five years, 85 per cent will be by mobile and broadband.

“We must think big and act fast, or Britain will be no better than an also-ran in the global race for technological progress and productivity.”