Time to get it right on broadband — Carmichael

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has called for the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to ensure broadband targets are met.

Mr Carmichael’s comments came last week in response to a report by The National Audit Office showing that the Government’s rural broadband programme was almost two years behind schedule on achieving its aims of 90 per cent access by 2015

“It is exceptionally disappointing that the roll out of superfast broadband should have been allowed to fall behind in this way,” Mr Carmichael said.

“Some of the reasons given will surprise no one in the northern isles — the lack of infrastructure here and the delay in getting money from the EU Commission are both familiar stories to us.

He added: “I very much hope that the extra £250 million of new money announced by the UK government last week will get this project back on track.

“I shall, however, be pressing ministers and officials for the details of how this money will be used. We need to know that it is sufficient both to do the work and to do it within the previously identified timescale.”