Broadband funding 'could disadvantage city-based Yorkshire businesses'

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could be at a disadvantage against their rural counterparts due to a lack of high-speed broadband access.

That is the opinion of Robin Bosworth, a senior consultant at Mott MacDonald, who told the Yorkshire Post that the government's Broadband Delivery UK project is skewed too far in favour of rural locations.

While businesses operating in these areas do need investment in broadband infrastructure going forward, the needs of urban firms may be overlooked.

"Typically, these are SMEs and the economic impact of not providing adequate digital connectivity to them is great. However, the existing round of BDUK funding misses this point," Mr Bosworth told the newspaper.

Scottish cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment Alex Neil said recently that he is disappointed with the £68.8 million earmarked by the government to upgrade broadband infrastructure in the country, claiming that the amount will not go far enough.