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CLA disappointed and shocked by broadband delay The CLA says it is disappointed and shocked by the Government's decision to extend the target for providing universal UK broadband coverage by three years, setting a new target of achieving the USC within the lifetime of this Parliament – expected to end in 2015. In a speech to the broadband industry, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government would no longer be able to meet the Universal Service Commitment (USC) of two megabits per second by 2012, because of insufficient funding, yet said that increased use of Government services online could lead to savings of at least £1 billion. Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North said, "This announcement is disappointing and short sighted. Of course every cost has to be justified, by families, businesses and the Government, but surely a proper cost-benefit analysis needs to be done, demonstrating the huge potential savings from communicating in this way. Why not invest some of the saving to provide greater, universal benefit? "Broadband availability is the top of any business's check list when they consider moving to or re-investing in a particular location, and we know that individuals rate it almost as highly. Perpetuating the digital divide, and not just in deeply rural areas, means that we risk a 'communications cleansing' of businesses and people from some places. "Government itself is missing a great chance to save more money by increasing its use of the internet to communicate with its citizens – it will be interesting to see how many people are excluded or penalised for not using Government services electronically simply because they don't have the technological ability. "We have great opportunities to springboard the country's economic output and to underpin the sustainability of entire communities. The costs involved could and should be justified". Mr Hunt made the surprise announcement at a conference on 15 July, organised by Broadband Delivery UK.
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Contact Douglas Chalmers
Douglas is from an Aberdeenshire farming family and trained as an animal nutritionist after graduating from the University of Aberdeen. He held technical and management positions in the agricultural supply industry for 20 years prior to joining the CLA in 2001 as North West Regional Director. He is Chairman of Cumbria Fells & Dales RDPE Local Action Group, Vice Chairman of the North West Rural Affairs Forum, a Governor of Myerscough College and a member of Cumbria Local Access Forum. He and his wife own a small farm near Appleby-in-Westmorland keeping Herdwick sheep and free-range poultry, and where he has helped his wife to form Learning Fields, a Community Interest Company offering educational and environmental activities there. He is also a member of Eden Time Bank. T: 01748 907070 F: 01748 907075 douglas.chalmers@cla.org.uk Have a problem - need advice? North West Office Aske Stables
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