Government 'must do more to bring top business broadband to rural areas'

The government has been told it is not doing enough to roll out top-quality business broadband links in some of the UK's most remote locations.

According to the Countryside Alliance, figures have been obtained that show little support has been given from Westminster to four areas that were flagged up as pioneers in a scheme to improve infrastructure in green outposts.

North Yorkshire, Highlands and Islands, Herefordshire and Cumbria were named by chancellor George Osborne in October 2010 as spots that would be used in a pilot project to install high-speed broadband in the countryside.

At the time, it was said that each would become an example of how Britain intends to work to provide the very best communications in all parts of the nation.

But, more than a year on, the group has made a freedom of information request to find out exactly what has happened since.

It noted that this shows "underwhelming results", with two of the councils representing the areas in question yet to spend a penny, while the other two are simply looking to involve local suppliers in a bid to get the work started.

The Countryside Alliance said the government can be praised for putting up the cash, but it is leaving local authorities "high and dry" when it comes to implementing the ideas.

"It has been over a year since these pilots were set up and the people in areas with no or unreliable broadband coverage haven't seen any improvement," explained Alice Barnard, chief executive of the body.

"Unless more is done to simplify the process of acquiring and implementing rural broadband projects, the digital divide will continue to grow and the money pledged by the Coalition will remain all but worthless."

The Federation of Small Businesses last week urged the government to act now to install high-speed business broadband that will allow companies to take advantage of the surge in demand for e-commerce.