Broadband is key issue in Scottish Parliament election

The SNP made next generation high speed broadband across Scotland a key issue in the Scottish Parliament election yesterday with a proposal to spend £50m over the next four years on a nationwide network.

The intention to use finance from the Scottish Futures Fund was trumpeted by First Minister Alex Salmond, who personally lifted his party from running behind Labour to a significant lead in pre-election polls.

Salmond, close to securing a second term in office, spelled out his support for high-speed broadband on a visit to Border's Biscuits, an internationally successful trader on the internet.

He said: "Scotland must be positioned to take advantage of all the opportunities offered by the digital age.

"The Scottish Futures Fund is our bridge to the future. As we build a physical connection from Edinburgh to Fife with a new Forth Crossing so we build the infrastructure of the future with real investment in high-speed broadband and mobile technology.

"Access to high-speed next generation broadband is essential not just for our new industries but for our traditional businesses and our rural communities."

He added: "We cannot allow anyone to be left behind. Ninety-nine per cent of Scotland has access to the internet but in some areas there is a digital divide between rich and poor and old and young. We must put that right.

"Improving internet access, delivering high-speed broadband to rural communities will allow businesses to grow, create employment and improve quality of life."

He said the money would be spent rolling out superfast broadband in rural and remote areas by supporting community and private sector schemes, including the provision of more masts to enable telecom companies to plug gaps in coverage.