UK local businesses reap ‘£9bn benefit from superfast broadband’

Local businesses in areas covered by the UK government’s rollout of superfast broadband have seen a combined £9 billion (€10 billion) increase in turnover since the boost to their broadband speed.

This is according to an independent assessment of the impact the rollout has had from 2012-2016, which was published by the government.

Other findings of the report were: the net increase in gross value added to the UK economy came to £690 million; and there was a reduction of almost 9,000 people claiming jobseekers allowance along with the creation of 49,000 local jobs.

The government said the broadband programme has delivered £12.28 benefit for businesses for every £1 invested by the government and local authorities

“Our rollout of superfast broadband across the UK has been the most challenging infrastructure project in a generation but is one of our greatest successes,” said minister for digital, Margot James.

“We are reaching thousands more homes and businesses every week, that can now reap the clear and tangible benefits that superfast broadband provides. We are helping to ensure the downfall of the digital divide.”

Openreach CEO, Clive Selley, said: “It is great to see businesses across the UK reaping the benefits of faster broadband speeds and I’m proud of the leading role that Openreach has played in helping to deliver the government’s rollout of superfast broadband – one of Britain’s great engineering achievements.”