MP claims Conservatives ‘have written off the highlands’ with their pledge to scrap 50p monthly levy
Tories accused of ending north’s dreams for high-speed internet
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The Tories were accused last night of having “written off the Highlands” after pledging to scrap the proposed 50p monthly tax designed to bring high-speed internet to remote regions.
The attack followed the pledge by Conservative shadow culture and media minister Jeremy Hunt to ditch the levy plan, which is aimed at raising £170million to encourage communications companies to instal hundreds of miles of fibre-optic cabling in remote areas.
A party spokeswoman said Tory policy was to deregulate the industry to allow other communications companies to use BT’s cable ducts and equipment so that “the market will provide” a universal service without need for subsidy, even in the most far-flung communities.
Highland MP Danny Alexander has urged the UK Government to make the rapid introduction of high-speed broadband in the north and north-east its priority to ensure the regions do not fall behind the rest of Britain.
Mr Alexander, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: “This shows how out of touch the Conservatives are towards the interests of the north and north-east.”
Highland Labour MSP Peter Peacock said: “The roll-out of broadband for the Highlands and islands is vital for residents and businesses in the area as we already lag behind the rest of the country.
“If the Tories scrap the 50p levy, it would kill off any chance of getting the digital infrastructure that this area needs so badly.”
The UK Government plans to include a clause bringing in the levy in the next Finance Bill, just before the general election.
Some of the more remote areas of Britain are still waiting to receive broadband at two megabits per second – a speed that is just adequate to download streamed video – despite a government pledge that this would be universal.
