Chi Onwurah MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation, commenting on a report from the National Infrastructure Commission, said:

“We heartily welcome this call for the UK to get its digital act together. We are one of the richest countries in the world, but falling far behind in our digital infrastructure. The Commission rightly describes high speed broadband as a necessity, but there are parts of the country that are still not online at all.

“Improving our digital connectivity will be a huge boon for business, and enable the UK to play a leading role in the coming 4^th Technological Revolution. After a series of connectivity setbacks, the Government is now unable to offer anything but tinkering at the edges and have missed their own connectivity targets.

“Labour support calls for a new, ambitious digital Universal Service Obligation, and for the Government to take responsibility for developing the digital infrastructure that will equip our economy for the future.”