4 August 2011
Labour today expressed concern after an Ofcom report showed that Scots
are the least likely in the UK to have a broadband connection.
Just 61% of Scots currently have broadband, compared with 74% of people across the whole of the UK.
Broadband connection is particularly low in
Greater Glasgow, where the figure is just 50%.
Ofcom's Scottish director Vicki Nash has warned that with so many public
services now available online, Scots were at risk of being left behind.
Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Rhoda Grant, said,
"Scotland now faces two types of digital exclusion: people without access to computers, and areas without access to broadband.
"Broadband is absolutely critical to supporting
the economy in many rural communities.
"The Scottish Government has a huge role to speed things up.
"They need to appoint a digital champion to get things moving and work much more closely with the UK government."
Labour MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East, Gregg McClymont, said,
"Ofcom’s conclusions are a serious a wake-up call for the UK and Scottish governments.
"Businesses and the economy rely on world-class broadband, and we simply have to be digitally competitiveness, particularly when the economy’s recovery remains so fragile.
"High speed broadband will be as important for economic growth in the future as good railways were in the past.
"This is a stark reminder to Scottish Secretary Michael Moore that the UK government is failing to deliver its commitment to roll out broadband access to all homes by 2015.
"It’s time he stood up for Scotland and fought to
ensure Scottish homes and businesses aren’t left behind.”
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