Business broadband funding ‘must be well spent’

The government must spend its new investment in broadband infrastructure so it properly benefits companies, a business organisation has said.

Responding to the government’s announcement of £440 million in funding for more widespread superfast broadband, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) said businesses of all sizes are dependent on good broadband in order to operate.

Last month the government announced millions of pounds of investment in broadband infrastructure it says will help hundreds of thousands of businesses get superfast broadband.

It unlocked funding to give business premises in hard-to-reach parts of the UK quick and reliable internet connections which are a “vital” part of modern life.

Jordan Marshall, policy development manager at IPSE, commented: "The smallest businesses are dependent on fast, reliable broadband in order to operate, particularly as more people are choosing to work from home. It’s therefore essential that this money is well spent.

“If the UK economy is to maintain its competitiveness on the global stage, it’s essential that the very hardest to reach areas are not overlooked. If we underinvestment, we risk the UK falling behind the rest of Europe.

“The importance of universal superfast broadband has also been highlighted by the government’s rollout of ‘Making Tax Digital’. Business owners based in remote locations could encounter serious problems submitting their tax returns if they don’t have broadband. We need to see no stone left unturned.”

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(Image: Kings Sutton)