MP does not want broadband tax scrapped

An MP representing Dewsbury has said that it is important that the Tory party does not scrap the proposed broadband tax if they win the next election.

The proposed broadband tax from the Labour government has caused a great deal of controversy, and the Tory Party has already made it clear that if they come into power they will be quickly abolishing the broadband tax, which is set to hit all landline owners and is to be used for investment into broadband for rural areas and under-served areas in the UK. The Tory party and various other industry groups are against the broadband tax, and have said that the Labour government is going the wrong way about raising money for investment in broadband.

However, one MP representing Dewsbury has said that if the Tory party does get into power it is vital that the broadband tax is not abolished. Shahid Malik, MP, said that the broadband tax was essential if adequate broadband services were to be extended to areas that were currently struggling to gain access to broadband services.

If the broadband tax is scrapped it is claimed that projects that are currently underway to help some rural and struggling areas to get broadband could be jeopardised, and that many people could be left without any hope of accessing adequate broadband services as a result of this. However, some ISPs such as Talk Talk have expressed concerns that the broadband tax could affect affordability for many lower income households.

In the meantime Mr Malik has contacted the Digital Britain minister with a view to finding out when money will be made available to improve the broadband services that are available in Denby Dale.

Source – Cable