Minister confirms rural broadband fears, says CLA

The CLA says remarks made by Communications Minister Lord Carter confirm fears rural Britain is being left behind in the race for super-fast broadband.

Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, President of rural economy experts the CLA, said: "This digital urban/rural divide is getting out of control. It is time for the hyperbole to stop and for Government to consider the damage it is doing to rural areas and, in particular, businesses.

"Lord Carter talks of a video-centric world. In reality we have a world where social and economic deprivation is growing because of a lack of access to fast internet connections.

"The economy is being divided because many rural businesses simply cannot compete with their urban rivals. School classes are split because of some children's inability to do set homework online. Communities are being divided because people are seeking to move to a home that has broadband."

The CLA President added: "We have heard repeated promises by the Government of universal broadband for all, and we have repeatedly said that it cannot happen without public investment.

"There seems to be a policy disparity between Lord Mandelson, on the one hand, who says we need universal public investment in broadband and Lord Carter, on the other, who says rural areas would continue to be excluded.

"The CLA will continue to put pressure on Government and infrastructure providers to ensure that rural businesses and rural communities have access to fast and affordable broadband."

CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Out of hours: 020 7201 9511.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Lord Carter's comments are reported in an interview with The Daily Telegraph today (21 April).

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has a 36,000-strong membership.

As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support. We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership and land management, for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.

For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk

Contact

Dr Charles Trotman
Head of Rural Business Development

An economist, advises on rural economic issues, particularly food policy, rural tourism, equine issues and telecommunications policy.

T: 020 7460 7939
F: 020 7235 4696
charles.trotman@cla.org.uk

Media Contacts

Ollie Wilson
Director of Communications

T: 020 7460 7936
F: 020 7460 7962
ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk

Lisa Barker
National Press Officer

T: 020 7460 7934
M: 07876 023 792
lisa.barker@cla.org.uk

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