The controversial broadband tax suggested by the Labour government is coming under threat with many MPs concerned about exactly how this money will be invested and who would control the flow of funds. It will be interesting to see whether this particular “unwelcome” tax actually reaches the statute books because the Conservative party has confirmed it would cancel the new broadband tax if it gains office.
The truth is that successive governments have in many cases failed to grasp the importance of broadband in the UK both to consumers and to the business arena. Up until recently broadband has not been a vote winner for any government although there are signs that many in the UK see access to broadband as their “right” as UK taxpayers.
The subject of public sector investment in the broadband industry is a controversial one and one which attracts many different arguments and many different opinions. However the truth is that the UK broadband network is unlikely to match those superfast speeds available around the globe without significant time and money invested by the government. But can you trust the government to invest your broadband tax proceeds sensibly?