Local MP John Lamont has today called for the responsibility for the delivery of superfast broadband to be devolved to local councils after years of Scottish Government “dither and delay”.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate today (Wednesday 22nd November 2017), John Lamont MP said that superfast broadband delivery had been faster in England and Wales, where local councils are in charge of the delivery of superfast broadband.
Figures from Ofcom show that in rural areas of Scotland only 46% of properties have access to superfast broadband, worse than rural Wales (57%), rural Northern Ireland (52%) and rural England (62%).
In the debate, John said that BT and the Scottish Government have had their chance to deliver superfast broadband but were failing rural areas. He called on the Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock MP to look at whether local authorities in Scotland can be given a greater role in broadband delivery rather than the centralised model currently used by the Scottish Government.
The power to legislate on broadband is reserved to the UK Parliament, however the Scottish Government is in charge of the delivery of broadband improvements on the ground. The Scottish Government decided not to further devolve this power to local councils, which is the model used in England and Wales.
John also called on the UK Government to consider a faster speed for the Universal Service Obligation, which will give everyone a right to access broadband of at least 10 Mb/s.
In response, the Minister, Matt Hancock announced the UK Government will work directly with local authorities in future. He has also agreed to visit the Scottish Borders to hear first-hand the challenges faced by local residents and businesses.
Speaking after the debate, John Lamont MP said: “We need to act to bridge the broadband gap between urban and rural Scotland, the broadband haves and broadband have nots
“The current model is failing. BT have ignored the harder to get to residents and communities because they knew that it would be too costly. Rural parts of Scotland have been let down by the Scottish Government’s dithering and delay and we are still far behind the rest of the UK in terms of broadband delivery.
“I’m therefore pleased the UK Government agree with my suggestion that they work directly with local authorities for the next phase of superfast broadband delivery.
“Superfast broadband is not a luxury. I view it as a fundamental service which everyone should be entitled to have access to. It is comparable to being connected to the mains electric, mains water or mains gas.
“But it’s also essential for businesses to allow them to operate. In the Borders, there are successful businesses operating at the end of farm tracks at the top of the Ettrick valley, in the Lammermuirs or in the foothills of the Cheviots. The opportunity to set up such a business in rural areas should not be limited because of the lack of good broadband connectivity.
“I fully support the Universal Service Obligation, which will give Borderers a legal right to decent broadband. However, I do believe the UK Government needs to look whether the speed needs to be increased.
“I look forward to welcoming the Minister to the Borders soon so he can see first hand problems with businesses and residents face.”