Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

United Kingdom

Labour promises free broadband for all

Labour has promised free fibre broadband to every home and business in the UK by 2030.

The party would nationalise BT’s Openreach business to achieve its aims.

It will be called British Broadband.

Advertisement

Shadow Chancellor said the move would cost £20 billion.

But industry leaders say a realistic figure is at least five times more.

The money to deliver ultra-modern broadband to 18 million places would come through borrowing.

Another £5 billion is already committed to upgrade the system.

Tech titans like Google and Microsoft would also be taxed harder to pay for the changes.

Nationalising Openreach is the latest “utility” added to Labour’s wish-list.

The party has its eyes on water, the railways, Royal Mail and National Grid.

It also plans to give an estimated £300 billion of shares to workers.

The Labour manifesto pledge caught BT unawares.

Its chief executive Philip Jansen said:

“Free broadband for all is an appealing concept for consumers but that it would need to be thought through carefully.”

He added it would reduce industry profit by £5 billion a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

You May Also Like

United Kingdom

Film director Ridley Scott has recalled the death of actor Oliver Reed while making the Oscar winning blockbuster Gladiator. Scott said hard-drinking Reed “just...

Business

The controversial Russian businessman Viktor Baturin, well-known for his years-long counterstanding with his wealthy sister Elena, widow of Moscow ex-mayor Yuri Luzhkov, is likely...

United Kingdom

The Tremeloes. Dave Munden centre Dave Munden the Tremeloes drummer – and often lead singer – with the 60s chart toppers has died. He...

United Kingdom

The Watneys Party Seven is making a comeback. The ubiquitous 70s beer was a bland fizzing bitter ridiculed by many. The drink’s insipidness helped...